Sports

Men's Volleyball Team Victorious In Matchup Against Moorpark

Celso Robles | Sports Editor

On Friday, March 4, the Santa Monica College (SMC) Men's Volleyball team defeated the Moorpark College Raiders in The Pavilion located on SMC's main campus. In an intense and thrilling matchup with their inner-conference rival, the Corsairs won 3-1, marking their first home-game win of the season. The recent victory improves the Corsairs' overall record to 3-4.

Friday evening's game had about 50-60 fans in attendance, including member's of SMC's Women's Volleyball team. A handful of the women's team were present to support the men and loudly cheer them on, including Libero Halle Anderson and Defensive Specialist Emily Blower. The two freshmen are majoring in Kinesiology and Psychology respectively. In a pre-game interview, Anderson and Blower shared why attending the game was important to them, as well as their thoughts on the size of the crowd that showed up on Friday. "We want to support the [men's] team so then they'll support us too." said Blower. "We want a good volleyball community at our school," said Anderson. "They have a lot of people that show up and that are supportive which is really nice."

The loud cheers and energy provided by the home crowd, initiated by Anderson, Blower, and other members of the women's volleyball team, were a key contribution towards SMC's victory, as every Moorpark serve attempt was preceded by loud banging, stomping, and thuds from the bleachers. Each point that SMC scored was met with overwhelming applause. Anderson and Blower encourage students and fans to reciprocate the same support and energy for future women's volleyball games.

SMC won Friday's matchup's first two sets handily with respective scores of 25-19 and 25-20. After losing the third set 15-25, the Corsairs managed

Santa Monica College Corsairs Freshman Grant Hall (16) prepares to spike the ball as his teammate, Sophomore Elijah Chambers (19), watches during the game against the Moorpark College Raiders in The Pavilion in Santa Monica, Calif. on March 4. (Ryan Martinez | The Corsair)

to stay composed and won the fourth and final set with a score of 25-23, solidifying their win in nail-biting fashion.

After the game, Liran Zamir, Head Coach of the Corsair Men's Volleyball team, spoke on what the first home victory of the season meant to him and his players. "It feels amazing," said Zamir. "I feel very happy right now."

Zamir also discussed the incredible effect that the crowd had on Friday's game. In addition, he commended the members of the women's volleyball team in attendance for their support. "The women's volley team, they always always come and it's really great to have their support," said Zamir. "The crowd did a fantastic job."

The next men's volleyball match will take place on Wednesday, March 9 in The Pavilion at 6 p.m., as the Corsairs are scheduled to take on another one of their inner-conference rivals, the Antelope Valley College Marauders.