Going through the sand: Corsairs dug too deep as they faced defeat at the Southern California Regional Team Tournament

Santa Monica (SMC) Corsairs’ Sophia Vandenberg (7) spikes the ball over Cerritos Community College (CCC) Rosie Cazares-Gonzalez (25) at the Southern California Regional Team Tournament, Tuesday, April 30, 2025, at Ocean Park Beach, Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs lost the dual match to Cerritos Community College (CCC) 4 to 1. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)

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Santa Monica (SMC) Corsairs’ Allison Horin (12) returning the serve at the Southern California Regional Team Tournament, Tuesday, April 30, 2025, at Ocean Park Beach, Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs lost the dual match to Cerritos Community College (CCC) 4 to 1. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)

Santa Monica (SMC) Corsairs’ Kyla Dothard (1) contests shot of Grossmont College (GC) Griffins by Kylie Harris (44) at the Southern California Regional Team Tournament, Tuesday, April 30, 2025, at Ocean Park Beach, Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won the dual match against Griffins 4 to 1. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)

Santa Monica (SMC) Corsairs’ Samantha Harvey (10) returns serve at the Southern California Regional Team Tournament, Tuesday, April 30, 2025, at Ocean Park Beach, Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs lost the dual match to Cerritos Community College (CCC) 4 to 1. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)

Santa Monica (SMC) Corsairs’ Sadie Town (6) spikes the ball as Cerritos Community College (CCC) Monserrat Rodriguez (12) defends the net at the Southern California Regional Team Tournament, Tuesday, April 30, 2025, at Ocean Park Beach, Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs lost the dual match to Cerritos Community College (CCC) 4 to 1. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)

Santa Monica (SMC) Corsairs’ Eden Lorin (2) returns serve as teammate Sadie Town (6) follows at the Southern California Regional Team Tournament, Tuesday, April 30, 2025, at Ocean Park Beach, Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won the dual match to Grossmont College Griffins 4 to 1. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)

Santa Monica (SMC) Corsairs’ Samantha Harvey (10) spikes the ball past the defense of Grossmont College (GC) Griffins Madison Lidecke (1) at the Southern California Regional Team Tournament, Tuesday, April 30, 2025, at Ocean Park Beach, Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won the dual match to Griffins 4 to 1. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)

Santa Monica (SMC) Corsairs’ Samantha Harvey (10) makes a sliding dig at the Southern California Regional Team Tournament, Tuesday, April 30, 2025, at Ocean Park Beach, Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won the dual match to Grossmont College (GC) Griffins 4 to 1. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)

Santa Monica (SMC) Corsairs’ Allison Horin (12) and Makena Gamby (11) dance after winning a point at the Southern California Regional Team Tournament, Tuesday, April 30, 2025, at Ocean Park Beach, Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won the dual match to Grossmont College (GC) Griffins 4 to 1. (Tom Rosholt | The Corsair)

On Tuesday, April 29, the Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs were eliminated in the first round of the Southern California regional team tournament. They entered the tournament tied for first place in the Western State Conference.  

In their first matchup, the Corsairs faced off against the Cerritos College (CC) Falcons and lost the match four games to one. This was a major upset, as last month the Corsairs defeated the Falcons in a dual match, 4-1.

The No. 1 team, led by blocker Nicole Lankton and defender Annah Legaspi displayed their ability to handle tough games throughout the tournament, as Lankton and Legaspi defeated their opponent convincingly in two sets. Their matchup also showed Lankton and Legaspi’s proficiency as they finished the game quickly as they prepare for their upcoming State Pairs Championship.

The Corsairs rebounded in the second match of the day, defeating Grossmont College (GC) Griffins 4-1. 

In the Corsairs only defeat against the Griffins, Splits Sadie Town and Eden Lorin had to go to an extra set against Sophia Neelely and Kadence Doan as they lost, 2-1. Town’s battled through a twisted ankle during the final set. Fortunately, she was able to play through as the Corsairs bounced back in their next two games to finish the series against the Griffins, 4-1. 

Coming up next for the Corsairs, the No. 1 pair Lankton and Legaspi will be playing in the State Pairs Championship on May 9, at Long Beach City College (LBCC).