Corsairs Fall to the Lasers in Final Non Conference Game
Despite putting up a solid performance, the Corsairs were outplayed by the Lasers 3-1.
On Friday, Feb. 24, the Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs men’s volleyball team played their final non-conference game of the season against the Irvine Valley College (IVC) Lasers. The Corsairs entered the game with a 3-3 season record coming off a victory in last week’s non-conference game. The Lasers entered the match with a 5-1 record and were looking to bounce back coming off a loss in their previous match. The match was filled with intensity that ultimately went the Lasers' way.
From the beginning of the match the Lasers had almost total control. They quickly took the lead over the Corsairs and were able to maintain it for most of the first set. The Corsairs did their best to stay within five points of the Lasers, and it paid off as they were able to tie the set at 17 points apiece. They took the lead from there and won the first set 25-19.
The Corsairs weren’t able to carry over any of that momentum over into the next two sets. The Lasers built a substantial lead right out of the gate in the second set, always leading by no less than three points. They won the second set 25-13 and continued their dominant performance in the third set. The Corsairs tied the set once at one point apiece and remained close throughout it, but the Lasers held them off and won the third set 25-20.
The fourth and final set of the match seemed to be headed the same way as the previous two sets as the Lasers nearly always held the lead. Just as the set was nearing its end, the Corsairs caught up and tied it at 21 points apiece. They took the lead from there but despite their best effort, the Corsairs just couldn’t keep the lead and lost the set 28-26 and the game 3-1.
Head coach Liran Zamir reflected on the game, acknowledging both the positives and negatives. The positives he mentioned ranged from energy to defense, while the weak points included the serving, especially in key moments.
"The service line was the only thing that was lacking,” Zamir said. “I think that our defensive scheme was working fantastic and IVC is a hard team to beat and the fact that we went 3-1, almost to 5, was really good for us.”
Outside hitter Nate Davis reflected on his performance, expressing some disappointment but feeling very positive about it overall.
"I’m definitely thinking about a couple errors in the end of the last set but once I get past that disappointment I’ll look back and I think I played pretty well overall,” he said.
He was extremely proud of the team's performance.
“For us to come out and get double digit blocks against a team that does not have any guys shorter than our tallest guy,” Davis said. “And to frustrate some of the best hitters in the conference like we did on defense, I think is an incredible job.”
SMC’s volleyball team is optimistic about their performance in the upcoming season. Fellow outside hitter Kane Schwengel said he's confident with the Corsairs' readiness for the conference games.
“I’m really proud of how we’ve played. It’s been awesome seeing our team improve and grow throughout the preseason and I just love being on the court with my teammates,” he said.
Zamir mentioned some looming concerns but feels prepared for the conference to come.
“We are still unfortunately, we deal with players missing so we’re still trying to figure out our best six and the format that would work best for us,” Zamir said.
Davis feels similar to Zamir in regards to the preparedness of the coming season.
“We’ve had some critical positions that just are open and where players were switched around but even with that sort of discomfort in some positions we’re still playing our hearts out,” said Davis.
Davis extended an invitation for the SMC’s students, expressing a very receptive feeling towards having them there to support and share this moment with the team throughout the season.
The Corsairs kickoff their conference games on Wednesday, March 1 against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros at 6 p.m. Their first home conference game will be on Friday, March 3, against the Long Beach City College Vikings at 6 p.m. in the gym on the main SMC campus.
