Vivian Lee goes up against De Anza College Oct. 15. JESSICA LUTHI / GUARDSMAN

By Bontã Hill
Editor

As the program continues to grow, the women’s volleyball team becomes more of a threat to the competition with each passing season. This year was one of the best seasons in the team’s history, leading the Rams to their second playoff berth in four years.

Besides the ups and down as a team, Head Volleyball Coach Ed Parker is very proud the way the season went. The Rams ended the season with a 17-12 record after a first round playoff loss to Sierra College.

“This team team is one of the best I ever coached,” said Parker. “Besides the team’s determination to win, they set their differences aside and set their sights on becoming a team and family.”

Coming into the season, Parker’s expectations for his team were to play hard and improve communication. After accomplishing these goals, Parker was grateful for this team, and is looking forward to working hard for the upcoming 2009 season.

What’s next for the volleyball program?

“Recruiting,” said Parker. “We’re looking forward to our spring and summer off-season training. The off-season is where we build our players and foundation.”

Sophomores Amanda Ly, Dana Lee, Cynthia Osorio, Ululau Malepeai and Poelele Malepeai will all be missed next season, but with making the playoffs, Parker feels the foundation has been set.

Parker felt his team could have been more consistent in its confidence, which he felt was due to the lack of experience of some team members. But as the season went on, the team became more confident and improved their communication.

“If I can rate our team’s progression this season from one to ten, it would be a ten no doubt,” said Parker.

Poelele Malepeai (#7) slams a spike past two Chabot defenders on Oct. 29 at the Community Health and Wellness Center. The Rams won four sets against the Chabot Gladiators. ALAN NGUYEN / GUARDSMAN

By Arcel Cunanan

Staff Writer

The Rams volleyball began their drive towards the playoffs with a convincing victory over the Chabot Gladiators in four sets (25-10, 22-25, 25-12, 25-21) on Oct. 29 at the Wellness Center.

“The whole team played great. They all communicated as far as volleyball goes,” said Head Coach Ed Parker.  “Everybody stepped up.”

Coming out with great intensity and a lot of communication on the court, The Rams were able to gain a quick seven point lead, forcing the Gladiators to call a time out at 7-0. The Rams won the set on a kill by libero Amanda Ly, closing the up the first set at 25-10.

The Rams began the second set a little lethargic, allowing the Gladiators to maintain the lead. The Rams’ concentration began to diminish as frustrations grew on the court.  A time out was called by the Rams when they fell behind 20-13. The Gladiators withstood a furious rally from the Rams and held on to win set two at 22-25.

“I felt like the errors were on our side. We made the mistakes. They really didn’t do anything special. We just had a moment. It fell away from us,” said Associate Coach Aziza Bledsoe.

Down 4-1 early in the third set, the Rams picked up the intensity and were able to finish by dominating in the third set. The Gladiators seemed to start falling apart, as the Rams took the lead for good and went up 19-9.  At game point, Chabot set the ball up to their middle back row player, who swung too hard and in the wrong direction, causing the ball to go out of bounds, and allowing the Rams to win set three 25-12.

The third set’s momentum followed the Rams into set four, but the Rams allowed Chabot to once again gain the lead.  The fourth set was back and forth throughout, but straightened out at 22-21 when a call was made on a questionable block, resetting the score at 21-21. After the call was made, the reset score gave Chabot the chance to earn a critical point.  Even though tension on the court and in the crowd was showing, but that didn’t slow the Rams down.

The Rams got their point back after making an incredible kill that made the crowd go wild. At game point, sophomore Poelele Malepeai made a kill that skidded off the arms of one of the unsuspecting Gladiators. The Rams closed the fourth and final set at 25-21.

“It’s really hard to deal with referees. It didn’t affect us any. We still won the game,” said Bledsoe in response to the call.

After the game, Parker was optimistic about the team’s upcoming matches.

“It’s a great attitude and positive energy to start our second half of the season. Next week we are hoping to continue with the same attitude that we have.”

Looking ahead, the Rams will have three straight road games against De Anza, Foothill, and Monterey, returning for their final home match on Nov. 19 against Skyline College at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Health and Wellness Center.

Meghan McGuire attempts to spike home a point through two Lobo defenders. ALAN NGUYEN / GUARDSMAN

By Roxanne Bequio
Staff Writer

The City College Rams volleyball team were forced to wait for nearly an hour as the Monterey Peninsula College Lobos, made its way through traffic to reach City College, but wasted no time when defeating the Lobos in four games (25-17, 21-25, 25-18) on Oct. 17 at the Community Health and Wellness Center.

The Rams could have forced the Lobos to forfeit the whole match due to their tardiness, but chose to make them forfeit only the first game.

“We had a really big break. The delay breaks focus and can really hurt momentum,” Assistant Head Coach Aziza Bledsoe said. “That did not happen. I thought we played very well.”

A strong start earned the Rams 10 out of the first 13 points in the second game. Diving for every ball, the team forced the Lobos to numerous errors and took the set 25-17.

“We took control very early. We played very well,” said Bledsoe. “Game two was great.”

Monterey Peninsula picked up the pace during the third game. The Lobos took an early 7 point lead and Ram’s head coach Ed Parker called a time-out to calm his team down.

“There was a lot of miscommunication early on. We were frazzled,” said Bledsoe. “I basically told everyone to breathe. It happens.”

Both teams rallied back and forth. The score was close with the Rams trailing behind the Lobos, but they were held off at 25-21.

In the fourth set the Rams came out and took care of business. The team jumped to a 15-6 lead, this time forcing the Lobos to call a time-out to try and regroup.

The Rams came out of the timeout to finish the Lobos off at 25-18, clinching their fourth victory in a row.

“We took control early. That’s how we like to play,” said Bledsoe of the fourth set.
The Rams’ top performers Ramona Vae and Nina Camp brought the intensity needed to beat the Lobos, Bledsoe said.

“Off the court, we’re growing as a team. We’re getting to know each other better,” said Vae. “Communication is our bread and butter.”

Cynthia Osorio leaves the court to return the ball back to Ohlone's Renegades in the Wellness Center on Oct. 1. The Rams won all three of that evening's matches against Ohlone. ANNE-MARIE STARK / GUARDSMAN

By Arcel Cunanan
Staff Writer

After a disappointing win against Hartnell at the last home game, the City College women’s volleyball team showed much improvement in their Oct. 1 match against the Ohlone Renegades. The Rams defeated the Renegades in consecutive matches (25-17, 25-16, 25-18) and improved to 2-0 (7-8 overall) in conference play.

Though the Rams also took their last home match from the Hartnell Panthers, the team’s overall performance versus Hartnell did not meet the expectations of Head Coach Ed Parker and Associate Head Coach Aziza Bledsoe, as the event ended with a session of suicide drills.

“We decided to work after the game, because we didn’t work during the game,” Bledsoe said of the Sept. 17 game. “I would take a loss in which 120 percent effort was given, however I will not take a win that was not necessarily earned.”

Especially after a win, the suicides drills may have appeared as harsh punishment to spectators, however they were meant to be a friendly reminder to work harder next time around.

The coaches’ message to the team appeared to have an impact because the Rams had a boost of confidence and lifted spirits during the Ohlone match, which aided them in winning three straight matches.

Meghan McGuire, outside hitter and top player of the night played a solid game, said the suicides were the reason for her strong play. “The message definitely got across to us because we did not want to run tonight and we had to push ourselves,” McGuire said. “Now [the team] is communicating a lot more and becoming one unit.”

The Renegades fell short on hits, digs and blocks and all three games were not much of a challenge for the Rams. With several kills, strong defense and offense, and better communication on the court, the Rams were able to maintain their intensity.

“Well, it was a win. We definitely did better than our last home game. We had little moments when we were not exactly performing, but we came back. We’ll take it,” Bledsoe said. “We tend to come out and play when we have a challenge.”

The first and second games ended with the Rams working hard for the final point, as kills were not making it on court, though Ohlone gave away the wins as they served the ball out. By the middle of game 2, the Renegades’ spirit began to dissipate. The final score for Game 1 was 25-17 and 25-16 for Game 2.

During game three, the Rams struggled for sideouts as the Renegades gained the lead and kept a level of hope to win a game. Hoping to put an end to the Renegade’s sudden burst of liveliness, the Rams called a time-out. The third and final game ended with the score 25-18, as Ohlone continued to make small mistakes that slowly began to put weigh on the Renegades, eventually crushing their spirit, killing the team’s energy and focus to win.

McGuire scored the final point with an awesome kill that Ohlone was unable to return.

“Meghan McGuire did an excellent job today. She had really great swings and focused a lot during practice,” Bledsoe said. “I could see it during the game.”

As the season progresses, Parker expects his team to improve, and communicate better, even if they are down in a match.

“I expect us to have more consistency and mental focus, and communicate during times when the team is down,” Parker said. “But we’re getting better, and it showed tonight”.

By Arcel Cunanan

Editor

Volleyball Captain Amanda Ly loves the game of volleyball and is looking forward to great season. ANNE-MARIE STARK / GUARDSMAN

If it weren’t for her two friends, City College volleyball star libero Amanda Ly would have never played volleyball. During the summer of seventh grade, Ly joined a volleyball league, and her passion for playing hasn’t stopped since.

When she was younger, Ly couldn’t commit to other sports or hobbies. Volleyball was the answer to her problem. “I sucked, but I was determined to play and stick with a sport and get better at it,” said Ly about her first encounter with volleyball.

Before attending City College, Ly attended George Washington High School, where she played as a setter throughout her four years there. Ly also joined club teams the Hawaiian Sunsetters and the San Francisco Juniors, though her height restricted her from obtaining a position as a setter. Measuring just 5 feet 2 inches, Ly happens to be the ideal height for a libero, or defensive specialist, and began training during her club career.

This year will be the second year the 19-year old sophomore is playing for City College as the team’s defensive specialist. Ly also finished as the fourth-best libero of the entire conference of 2007. “Amanda Ly is the best libero in the league. She is amazing,” said Aziza Bledsoe, associate head coach.

As team captain, Ly has already noticed a difference in spirit. With more chemistry and confidence, Ly foresees a great season for herself and her team. Her goals and expectations for the team lean more toward camaraderie, rather than skill. “I honestly think we can make it this year. I have high hopes,” she said. “I want the team to be a big family. I want everyone to help each other both on and off the court.”

On top of a demanding volleyball schedule, Ly juggles a full load of 15 units and is on a mission to add three more. Having to attend classes Monday through Friday, followed by two hour practices, Ly’s days are long and tiresome. Unfortunately, Ly has no choice but to cut down on quality time with friends and family to manage her time as a student and volleyball player.

Though Ly’s volleyball career has been successful, she has no plans to play her beloved sport after this year. Next year, Ly will be parting ways with City College and is hoping to attend California State University in Long Beach, where she wants to enter a modern dance program.

Despite her willingness to move on, volleyball will always be her first love and have a place in her heart. And who knows, maybe volleyball will be a part of her life again some day in the distant future. As the saying goes; “you never get over your first love.”

Check out the volleyball schedule for upcoming games at www.ccsf.edu/ccsframs, show some Ram support for the team, and catch Ly in action on the court.

City College Rams volleyball team warm-up before practice with players performing net drills. BONTA HILL / THE GUARDSMAN

BY ARCEL CUNANAN
STAFF WRITER

With only four remaining players from 2007’s roster, City College Volleyball Head Coach Ed Parker has high hopes of creating a reputable program, building on strengths the team already possesses during the highly anticipated 2008 season.

“When most people hear CCSF they automatically think about the football team,” said Parker, who is in his seventh year coaching at City College. “Because the majority of the students attending this school are commuters, it is difficult to get them involved with volleyball,” Parker added.

CCSF is home to the 2007 National Champion football team, which does set the bar pretty high for other sports teams. However, Parker foresees to change the student population and surrounding communities’ obliviousness towards the volleyball program.

Last year’s team ranked fifth out of six in the Coast Conference North Division, falling shy behind Skyline College. The 2007 roster consisted of eight players which included returnees Amanda Ly, Dana Lee, Cynthia Osorio, and Poe Malepeai. All-star Ly, who is also one of the three team captains, was listed fourth in the conference with her digging skills, maintaining an overall percentage of 6.99.

Perfection was not a necessity to make this year’s team. Instead, Parker was not only looking for players who could contribute to the team with basic skills and knowledge, but more importantly the right attitude to learn and play. There are 12 girls on the team who range from ages 17-23 and come from local high schools such as Abraham Lincoln High School, Balboa High School, and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory.

Parker feels the team’s cohesiveness, camaraderie, and leadership will help with practice. The basis of the team’s strength comes from defensive skills.

“The bread and butter of the team will be our defense. The girls are quick and light on their feet,” Associate Head Coach Aziza Bledsoe said.

Parker and Bledsoe both lay out high expectations for their team as they are hopeful to win their conference, and reach the highest level of competition, which is always the goal.

“I would love to see the girls walk out of the gym 100% happy of what they did on the court. If they have any regrets, my job as a coach was not done. If they are happy and proud, that is a job well done,” said Bledsoe. “We will do even better this year. We want to grow every year and build on that.”