The beach volleyball team continued their exhibition games at California State University Northridge against the Matadors and the Santa Barbara Community College Vaqueros on Sunday, March 6th at 10:30 a.m.
The Brahmas participated in the Calderon CSUN Challenge, where CSUN hosts various exhibition games.
“It’s great that Pierce gets a chance to experience playing against a team like CSUN, and we don’t have to travel far to do it,” said Athletic Director, Bob Lofrano.
Pierce College won one of their top two matches against the Matadors and lost their top match against the Vaqueros.
Led by Brahma players, Cairo Harrell and Sade Escobar against CSUN’s Erin Indermil and Stephanie Serna, Pierce was able to pull out a 16-9 winning set over Northridge.
The second match, Pierce’s Danielle Marmath and Bea Hernandez played against CSUN’s Kamden Maas and Nada Dragovic, in which they were defeated in the final set by 21-9.
“Playing against teams like this keeps us on our toes, I look forward to playing against them in the future,” Marmath said.
Against the Vaqueros the Brahmas top ranked players Megan Weaver and Valentina Krivokapic lost their two sets by a score of 21-14 and 21-8.
Head coach Tom Slauterbeck believes the exhibition games have helped the team in preparing for the regular season.
The transition from indoor volleyball to the sand remains a challenge for the team, but the Brahmas remain optimistic that they will be ready for the regular season.
“Were actually really confident. We’ve gotten better from the first day we started. Each game were learning something. The girls are becoming more relaxed,” Slauterbeck said.
Krivokapic said that the coaching staff has helped in the transition from indoor to the sand.
“Coach Tom is really good. I think that we can learn a lot from him,” Krivokapic said. “We are competing always. That’s our motto.”
Playoff seeding will be based on Pierce’s record against Western State Conference teams. Pierce will play their first divisional game against Rio Hondo on March 11. They will also face MiraCosta and Palomar.
“The next few games are going to be challenging, but I believe our girls are ready and will be able to pull through with a victory,” said indoor coach Nabil Mardini.
“All the games we’ve had now are getting us prepared for the conference (regular season),” Slaughterbeck said. “I think they are going to be ready.”
Pierce College Sand Volleyball team season continues as they play on March 11th against Rio Hondo, Palomar, and Mira Costa at Carlsbad Beach at 10:00 a.m.
