Corsairs on four game skid with loss

The Santa Monica College men’s volleyball team was unable to bring home a win on Friday in their first conference matchup against Los Angeles Pierce College. The Corsairs lost to the Brahmas, 3-1.

SMC head coach John Mayer attended Pierce College from 2000 to 2002, and although he has fond memories of the college, he wanted SMC to win.

"We were really gearing up for this one," Mayer said. "Conference matches are what decide playoffs."

The third match of the evening was a nail-biter with back-to-back points for each team, leading into overtime.

"Any time you go into overtime in a set and you have to side out for a point, it’s a challenge for our guys," Mayer said. "I thought they responded really well. There were probably about four or five times we had to side out to save a set and we did, so I thought that reflected well on us."

The match was a tense learning experience for the Corsairs.

"I've been in a lot of tense experiences, and I think when you've gone through it, you know how to respond; nothing beats experience," said Mayer. "I think if I’m antsy and crazy, the guys lose it too. If I can just be calm and positive, I think it helps."

The loss was the fourth in a row for the Corsairs, dropping them to the bottom of the Western State Conference in early season play. There are a few things the team wishes to address in order to break out of their slump.

"Usually the team that serves and passes better wins the match," said Mayer. "That’s where we spend most of our time, serving and passing. I think during the fourth set, we didn't pass very well, so we lost pretty big."

The Corsairs look to end their losing streak against the top team in the conference, Long Beach City College. The game will take place at SMC on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

"Good teams can win at any gym, home or away, so if you’re good enough, you’ll win," said Mayer.