Rams take championship in City College tournament

Vivian Lee (6) watches teammate Sone Pagaloa (7) go up high for a spike in a game against College of the Redwoods. ROBERT ROMANO / THE GUARDSMAN
Vivian Lee (6) watches teammate Sone Pagaloa (7) go up high for a spike in a game against College of the Redwoods. ROBERT ROMANO / THE GUARDSMAN

By Nick Palm
STAFF WRITER

City College hosted Columbia College and College of the Redwoods Sept. 18 for the first annual San Francisco Classic Volleyball Tournament at the Wellness Center.

The Rams faced each team once in the round-robin tournament, in which they came away with the championship. The Rams quickly plowed through College of the Redwoods 25-10, 25-14, 25-10 in their first match, and then Columbia College 25-13, 25-10, 25-14 to win the tournament.

“It felt really good,” said freshman middle blocker Sone Tagaloa, one of the team’s captains.

Led by captains Tagaloa and sophomore outside hitter Meghan McGuire, the Rams are off to a strong start in what should be a season full of tough opponents.
“The rest of the season will give us a lot more competition. Half of our games are against state-ranked teams,” said Head Coach Aleisaga Vae.

Vae, in his first season as head coach, feels confident in the team’s athletic capabilities. “We started out with 50 girls this summer. After tryouts and conditioning, we narrowed it down to the best 12.”

The team seems to be taking a liking to Coach Vae’s style, which has helped them stay relaxed and focused on the court.

“Coach Vae just told us to have fun, and don’t get scared or frustrated out there,” said Tagaloa.

With the new Wellness Center’s completion last year, the volleyball team can finally take advantage of their new home court.

“The girls were excited to be playing a home game in front of their fans,” said Coach Vae.

There was no time for a victory celebration, as the Rams hit the road right after the tournament to play Butte College Sept. 19.

The next volleyball home games will be Oct. 7, when the Rams host Monterrey Peninsula College and Oct. 9 against West Valley College, both home games at the Wellness Center.