A promising beginning to the Pierce men’s volleyball team season was disrupted in a sweep, 3-0, during their visit to El Camino College on Friday March 15.
Pierce looked to extend their three-game winning streak as they faced off against another undefeated conference team, but they were bested in each set.
“We just didn’t come mentally prepared,” said Fankie Manes, Pierce’s libero. “I think that was one of the biggest things.”
although Pierce did not win a single set, they still kept the game relatively close.
“When you have two really good teams going at it you may only get 2, maybe 3 opportunities to take advantage and get ahead,” said Lance Walker, Pierce’s head coach.
El Camino won the first set 21- 25, with a four point cushion.
The second set ended with the biggest differential at 19- 25, and the final set held the closet margin at 22- 25.
“We never had control of the match, they were ahead the entire time,” Walker added. “They were doing whatever they wanted to us.”
Pierce’s offense, typically energetically driven, was absent Friday night and they suffered for it.
“They were fighting a lot harder than we were to hold the lead,” said Manes. “We were just kind of going through the motions.”
In an hour and nine minutes El Camino defended their home court to push their win streak to four games and halted Pierce’s streak at three games.
“We were a little frazzled coming in, we were kind of rushed to start the game,” said Dan Williams, middle blocker for Pierce. “We didn’t have a really good warm up that’s for sure.”
Winning six out of their last seven games, El Camino dominated with the help of opposite hitter Matthew Pimblett who averages almost three kills per set.
“They did a lot of things different than what we scouted,” said Williams. “Their middles did a lot of good work, we didn’t scout that.”
This is El Camino’s sixth match they have swept their opponents this season, including non-conference games.
Despite the losts, Williams isn’t depleted and feels even more motivated to have a great season.
“We know that we are not number one and that means there is someone to beat,” said Williams. “I like trailing behind; they are number one so now I am going to get that.”
Pierce comes back home to host the visiting Moorpark College on Thursday March 20, to begin a two-game home stand.