Reset and Respond: Corsairs Bounce Back in Match Against Moorpark Raiders
The Santa Monica College Corsairs men’s volleyball team brought the energy Friday night, defeating the Moorpark Raiders in a four set game. (27-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-23)
The match opened with a statement: a powerful block by SMC sophomore middle blocker Soorya Raman, followed by a strategic dump from sophomore setter Ethan Lo. Sophomore outside hitter RJ Carroll sealed the first set with a set-point ace. The energy and excitement on the court surged, setting the tone for the night. SMC claimed the first set, 27-25.
“What happened doesn't have to determine what happens,” said SMC head coach Chris Chown. Following Wednesday's loss to Northern Region opponent, Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros (3-1), the Corsairs were determined to reset and respond.
Hungry and eager, multiple Corsairs answered that call.
This game was pivotal, a tone setter for the direction of the season. During the second set Moorpark scored a kill for the first point. SMC was out of rotation during a serve. After taking the first set with intensity, SMC saw a slight dip in the second, allowing Moorpark to even the match (25-17)
“Tonight, honestly, the biggest thing was just people being ready to step in. We played a lot of different guys at different moments, and they were ready to try and make an impact for the team.” Chown said.
Jayden Lyons, who rotates between middle blocker and opposite, took the court with a commanding presence. Although he had a slow start to the evening, he settled in and found rhythm. Lyons finished with four kills on eight swings, hitting an efficient .500 while adding four total points. In the pivotal third set, Lyons brought in some stability which helped reinforce the team's rhythm when it mattered most.
During a timeout Chown asked “Who else is going to step up?”
Demian Anisimov is SMC's aggressive and strategic outside hitter, delivered. The offensive engine of the team tallied 21 kills on 51 attempts, hitting .294 and totaling 23.5 points. Bringing the energy and power to help the Corsairs regain momentum. The third set was wrapped up with a set point kill by Anisimov, which swung the energy firmly back to SMC’s side.
Whether it was a pre game backflip from Samanu Hannemann, who contributed three kills and 3.5 points, or the constant shouts of encouragement from players like Soorya Raman, who added six kills and seven total points. The Corsairs fed off the energy around them and turned it into an effective performance on the court. As a team, SMC totaled 37 assists, 53 digs, eight block assists and 13 service errors.
Closing out the match by victory in the fourth set, 25-23, the Corsairs proved resilient.
Despite the victory, coach Chown’s primary focus remains on sustaining the team’s growth and maintaining their strength when competing against top level opponents. On Wednesday, March 4, the Corsairs will step onto their home court at the Corsair Gym to take on the LA Pierce Brahmas.
“We’ll push forward and be better next time we come out,” said Chown.