Volleyball sweeps Trojans in last home game of seasons
By Aaron Turner
Staff Writer
After suffering a season-crushing loss to Skyline College on Oct. 21, the Rams volleyball team was eager to exact some revenge during the game against the Trojans on Nov. 11 at the City College Health and Wellness Center.
Although the first meeting between the two squads went five games, this match was all Rams. City College won in three straight games, 25-11, 25-22 and 25-18, keeping its faint playoff hopes alive. The win moved the Rams to 10-13 overall and 4-3 in the Coast Conference North.
“I reminded the girls who we were playing,” Rams head coach Saga Vae said after the match. “During the third game I told them ‘just know this was the team that beat us in five, so keep that in mind’.”
The October loss at Skyline could not have been tougher for the Rams. At the time it dropped them to a 7-13 record overall and 1-3 in conference play. The team was able to bounce back with two straight victories over De Anza College at home and San Jose City College on the road.
Although the Rams can finish with no better than a 12-13 record overall this season, the team is hoping to get an at-large bid into the state playoffs, banking on their tough strength of schedule.
“Skyline is the team that may have kept us out of the playoffs,” Rams sophomore captain Meghan McGuire said after the match. “That’s the main reason why we wanted to beat them so bad.”
McGuire, who finished the night with nine kills and 10 digs, was still happy about the way her team played throughout the year. After playing the final home game of her City College career, she had an optimistic take on the season.
“This year was just such a great experience for me and the team all around,” McGuire said. “Although it took us a while to finally gel, I feel our skills are much better than last season.”
Fellow sophomore Vivian Lee, who added four aces and eight digs for the Rams, shared McGuire’s sentiments.
“We are all physically fit, so the struggles we had this season were all a mental thing,” Lee said. “I feel from where we started the season, just after losing last year’s coaches, to where we are now it’s just been such a huge improvement.”
Overall the Rams will lose five sophomores. Along with captains McGuire and Lee, fellow captain Jessica Lui, sophomores Nicole Camp and Amelie Alba will all be moving on. Coach Vae admitted that he has a long off-season in front of him.
“I did let my freshmen know that we have a big task ahead,” Vae said. “But we have Sone Tagoloa coming back from an injury, and two very good recruits coming in, so we should be in good shape next season.”
The Rams next travel to Los Altos, Calif. on Nov. 13 to take on first place Foothill College (20-3, 7-0). The Owls beat the Rams in four games in their last meeting on Oct. 23. City College then play their season finale at Ohlone College on Nov. 18.