The Moorpark College volleyball team has learned that putting oneself in a good position is not always necessarily a good thing.
The Raiders are now preparing for the first round of the California Community College Athletic Association playoffs.
The Raiders finished second in the conference to last year’s state champ Long Beach City College, but will host the first round game. Although the Raiders host the first round game, they have not forgotten their disappointing demise last season; a shocking first round exit after being heavily favored to beat Orange Coast College.
The Raiders were stunned at home, losing in five sets to the Pirates, but are not ready to end the season in similar fashion.
According to sophomore setter Adam Quinn, who is one of eight returning players from last year’s squad, they have not forgotten what happened, and have instead used it as motivation to perform well this season.
“We haven’t forgotten last year when we had the same situation at home,” Quinn said. “So we are going to be playing as hard as we can.”
The Pirates, however, are not the same team the Raiders played in the first round last year. Rather, the tides have turned, as the Pirates are favorites if they happen to meet again, having beaten the Raiders earlier this season in five sets on Feb. 19.
According to Raiders head coach Steve Burkhart, the Raiders still have aspirations of making it to the state tournament, even if they are not the favorites to do so.
“These kids really want to get to the state tournament,” Burkhart said. “That’s been their goal all year.”
While their goal might not seem completely farfetched, the Raiders will have some tough competition, having to possibly face the likes of Long Beach City College, Irvine Valley College, and the spoilers of last year’s season, Orange Coast.
Their record against the three powerhouses in the state: 0-4. In fact, the only four losses this season.
Despite the tough road ahead of them, Quinn believes the Raiders have put themselves in the best position possible to get to their desired destination: the state tournament.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better season,” he said. “We are right where we want to be. Our goal is to get to the state finals and we’re going to do everything we can to get there.”
The Raiders start their journey in the first round of the playoffs, when they host Palomar College Tuesday, April 20 at 6 p.m.
