Rachel Roth, Spring 2009 Staff Writer
The energy emanating from the packed gym was palpable Friday night as the Pierce College women’s volleyball team defeated Ventura College 3-1, extending their home-game winning streak to 55.
The winning streak, which dates back to Oct. 11, 2002 is a source of pride for veteran player Janet Alvarado. “I’ve been here for three years, and every year that is our goal, aside from winning state,” Alvarado said. “We don’t want to give a home game away.”
The team, ranked first in the state out of 84 programs is now 17-1 for the season. Head coach Nabil Mardini believes that when your first, there is added pressure to win.
“I love it,” Mardini said. “You can look at pressure as a positive thing. I thrive on it. I don’t like being the underdog. I’ve always liked being the person with the target on his back.”
The Brahmas have swept 12 teams, including Ventura College. They handily won all three sets; the first 25-12, the second 25-13 and the final set 25-15.
Outside hitter, Alvarado, led the charge with 12 kills. Opposite Vanessa Murray added eight, while outside hitters Lisa Sonnenblick and Sarah Martin contributed five apiece. Libero Ashley Clark and defensive specialist Brittany Sousa each provided two aces.
Despite being dominated for the first two sets, the Ventura Pirates refused to quit in the third. With the pesky Pirates leading early at 3-2, Alvarado scored four straight points for the Brahmas. An ace by Sonnenblick propelled them to 7-4. They never looked back.
Alvarado credits fearlessness for her ability to maintain composure, and make big plays, when the pressure is on. “I’m not afraid to make mistakes,” she said. “I’ll just go for it and I go for it with the intention of winning.”
Mardini, head coach of the women’s program for the last eight years, was pleased with his team’s effort. “We definitely played our game. We never let up and we were solid the whole night,” he said. “The focus, the will to win, the determination, whatever you want to call it, it was there,” he added.
Mandy Rodriguez, head coach of the Pirates, now 5-7 for the season, also thought that the Brahmas played very well. “They’re quick,” she said after the match. “Obviously, they are polished players.”
Next up for the Brahmas is a trip to Glendale where they will face Glendale Community College Tuesday night at 7. Coach Mardini isn’t worried. “We feel good about playing any team right now. We’re playing very good volleyball.”