SMC's Men's Volleyball Team Earns First Home Victory

On Friday, March 4, the Santa Monica College Men's Volleyball team defeated the Moorpark College Raiders in SMC’s Pavilion. In an intense and thrilling matchup with their intra-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.

Santa Monica College Corsairs Freshman Grant Hall (16) prepares to spike the ball as his team- mate, 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)

Santa Monica College Corsairs Head Coach Liran Zamir guiding the players during a timeout hud- dle in the game against the Moorpark College Raiders in The Pavilion in Santa Monica, Calif. on March 4. (Ryan Martinez | The Corsair)

The Santa Monica College Corsairs Mens Volleyball Team lines up for the starting lineups before their game against the Moorpark College Raiders in The Pavilion in Santa Monica, Calif. on Tuesday March 4. (Ryan Martinez | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College student athletes Sophia Laurence, January Nava, and Kenzie Wolff cheer- ing on the mens' volleyball team during the game against Moorpark College. (Ryan Martinez | The Corsair)

Friday evening's game had about 60 fans in attendance. A handful of the members from the women's volleyball team at SMC were present to support the men, loudly cheering them on. In a pre-game interview, Libero Halle Anderson and Defensive Specialist Emily Blower shared why attending the game was important to them, as well as their thoughts on the significance of the home crowd’s support.

"We want to support the…team so then they'll support us too," said Blower, a freshman psychology major.

"We want a good volleyball community at our school," said Anderson, a freshman majoring in Kinesiology. "They have a lot of people that show up and that are supportive which is really nice."

Liran Zamir, Head Coach of the Corsair Men's Volleyball team, believed a determining factor in SMC’s victory was the loud cheers and energy provided by the home crowd, led by members of the women's volleyball team. Every Moorpark serve attempt was preceded by loud banging, stomping, and thuds from the bleachers. Each point that SMC scored was met with raucous applause. "It feels amazing," said Zamir after the game. "I feel very happy right now."

Zamir also commended the members of the women's volleyball team in attendance for their enthusiasm. "The women's volleyball team, they always always come and it's really great to have their support," said Zamir. "The crowd did a fantastic job."

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

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.

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