Corsairs Outlast Vaqueros in Volleyball Showdown

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Zarha Stanton hits the ball during the women's volleyball match against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won 3-2. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Maiella Riva sneds the ball past Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros' Alexis Zevenbergen and Nevaeh Tillet during the women's volleyball match on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won 3-2. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Maiella Riva and Jaylynn Fierro during the women's volleyball match against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won 3-2. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' (front-to-back) Prior Borick, Natalie Fernandez, and Sophia Odle during the women's volleyball match against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won 3-2. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Sophia Odle and women's volleyball head coach Christian Cammayo during the match against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won 3-2. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Bridget Robarts prepares to hit the ball during the women's volleyball match against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won 3-2. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Maiella Riva hits the ball across from Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros' Alexis Zevenbergen and Nevaeh Tillet during the women's volleyball match on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won 3-2. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Seenoi Biosah during the women's volleyball match against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won 3-2. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College athletes attend the women's volleyball match against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won 3-2. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College Corsairs' Madison Schweitzer during the women's volleyball match against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won 3-2. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

The Santa Monica College Corsairs' women's volleyball team gathers to celebrate their 3-2 win at the end of the match against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. (Nicholas McCall | The Corsair)

The Corsairs scored a victory over the Vaqueros in a tense match.

The Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs’ women's volleyball team faced off against the Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Vaqueros in an exciting match on Wednesday at Corsair Gym. The match was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for both teams. The Corsairs triumphed in an extremely close game, winning 3-2.

The Vaqueros started off the match strong, taking the first set with a score of 25-19. However, it was clear that the Corsairs were not going down without a fight. 

In the second set, the Corsairs roared back to life, dominating with a convincing 25-17 victory. They showcased resilience and teamwork, setting the stage for an intense battle ahead.

The most thrilling set of the match was the third one. The Corsairs began strong, building a consistent lead. Refusing to back down, the Vaqueros called a timeout and rallied back. The two teams managed to tie the score at 19-19, then at 20-20, and again at 21-21, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The Corsairs ultimately prevailed with a score of 25-22. 

The Vaqueros managed to make a full comeback in the fourth set, keeping their lead throughout the entire set. It seemed like the Corsairs might have lost their momentum since the Vaqueros took the set with a score of 25-15.
With the match tied 2-2, the fifth and final set determined the winner. It was a tense battle, but the Corsairs came out on top with a score of 15-12, winning the match.

“It was nice to see us stick with it; it was kind of up and down. We hung in there together and did enough in the end,” said assistant coach Chris Chown. “We should be confident throughout a whole match against any team. We can beat anybody, but we have to make sure we bring the right mentality.”

Both teams played with heart and determination, making it a memorable match. “It was definitely a tough fight up until the end of the game,” said opposite Zarha Stanton. “I’m really proud.” In the end, the Corsairs emerged as the winners, showing their strength in the decisive final set.