After a competitive fight between the Brahmas and the Vikings, Pierce College Men’s volleyball dropped their third game in a row, getting swept by the Long Beach Vikings on Feb. 28. This game makes their record 3-7.
Although Pierce was coming off a three-game winning streak a few games before, the Brahmas would soon lose three straight, dropping their third against Long Beach.
This team is a new look for the Brahmas. Middle hitter Lars Hart,alongside Luis Penate, and Karl Manolong are the only starters from the previous year to appear on this team.
Hart believes it was the confidence and the small mistakes that led to the loss against Long Beach.
“I mean when it was the middle of the second set like 12-15, Long Beach, we’d kind of just lose our confidence,” Hart said. “It would just tank, and from that point on, they would get three points from just that.”
Despite the loss, Pierce outside hitter Jacob Jepson is confident with his new team and ready for the rematch against the Vikings.
“I think last year we got served off the court against Long Beach,” Jepson said. “This game we battled, and I’m sure that next time we’ll beat them.”
The Vikings were the school to beat last year. They were the number one team in the conference having an 11-1 record. The Brahmas are looking forward to their next outing, where they believe they can put it away now that they know the Vikings’ style.
The Brahmas would show relentless defense against the Vikings, but Long Beach’s offense was too fast for Pierce, according to libero David Montalvo
“They have a pretty fast offense. I think we’re not really used to that, we’re used to just big, tall guys just smashing the ball down,” Montalvo said. “But now we know what we’re up against. So when we go against them next time, we’re definitely going to beat them.”
After a three-game losing streak, the Brahmas will travel to battle against Santa Monica College, last year’s second–best team in the conference, on Wednesday, March 5.
The Brahmas will be back home on Friday, March 7, to face El Camino College, and Pierce will have a chance at payback on Wednesday, March 26, at the Vikings’ home court.
