Facing its biggest test of the year, Moorpark College’s men’s volleyball team struggled to gain a consistent rhythm, falling to Long Beach City College in four sets: 25-30, 30-27, 30-19 and 30-24.
Despite the blazing start to the regular season, Long Beach handed it to Moorpark, with a strong front row presence from middle blockers Antwain Aguillard and Fidelix Ojo.
Aguillard and Ojo, originally from Las Vegas, gave Moorpark a hard time up front, blocking numerous strikes and hitting them with kills on the offensive end. Aguillard had 14 kills, along with 10 blocks, while Ojo added 11 kills and 7 blocks.
Moorpark relied on 6 foot 9 middle blocker Sean Martin, who had 11 kills and three blocks. Outside Hitter Christopher Trauger added 10 kills, a block and even had two aces.
The first match was certainly a seesaw battle on both sides, with the score going back and forth through most of the match. Long Beach, however, was able to break the close match, jumping out to a 17-14 lead, and eventually wining the match 30-25.
Moorpark trailed for most of the second matched, but sparked a late comeback to take the second match 30-27.
Poor passing and missed serves led to the blowout in match four, as Long Beach quickly gained a 7-0 lead.
Moorpark’s first point came directly after a fault serve, and they were never able to catch up, trailing by as many as 10 points before losing the match 30-19.
Moorpark College coach Steve Burkhart was not afraid to express his dissatisfaction with his team’s performance tonight.
“We did not play as well as we really are, and are a much better team,” Burkhart said. “When you lose seven/eight point stretches, it is really inexcusable.”
Middle blocker Sean Martin discussed areas the team needed to improve on after tonight’s loss.
“We really struggled passing and serving,” Martin said. “We missed a lot of passes, and need to practice on hitting around the block.”
The loss put Moorpark at 7-1 on the season, and Long Beach City College improved to 7-1 on the year.
Moorpark is set to play at Santa Monica City College in a non-conference match-up Friday March 6. Long Beach City College will host Santa Barbara City College on March 6 as well.
