Momentum has always been the fuel to ignite the flame in the sports world.
The Moorpark College Raiders volleyball team took advantage of some momentum to completely change the complexion of their match against Santa Barbara City College in a four-set victory (26-30, 30-26, 30-26, 30-24) Friday night at Raider Pavilion.
After dropping the first set 30-26 and then flipping the switch with a 30-26 win in the second set, the Raiders (9-3, 4-1 WSC) struggled to find a rhythm offensively in the all-important third set.
Down 25-22, the Raiders found some momentum that came right out of the frying pan and into the fire, stepping up defensively with key blocks and outscored the Vaqueros (7-5, 2-3) 8-1 to win the third set 30-26.
According to Raiders sophomore setter Adam Quinn, this late surge to take the third set helped alleviate the pressure to play from behind.
“I thought that since we won game three, that in game four, all the pressure was on them [Vaqueros],” Quinn said. “Even though they came out and they were winning game four, all the pressure was still on them.”
The Vaqueros certainly came out strong in the fourth set, looking eager to send the match into the fifth set. However, the Raiders once again used a strong push of momentum to overpower the Vaqueros.
The Raiders were in the hole 10-3 early, but used a 12-4 run to take their first lead at 15-14. From there, there was no stopping them, as the Raiders never surrendered the lead, ending the match in four sets.
The win was evidently even more important because of its implications; the Raiders are now only a game back from first-place Long Beach City College instead of two, had they lost.
Raiders head coach Steve Burkhart acknowledged the importance of being able to stay within reach of Long Beach, as the Vikings are the only thing stopping the Raiders from obtaining a WSC championship.
“[If] these guys want to try and be conference champions, the only way you do is by beating Long Beach,” Burkhart said.
The Raiders will play quite arguably their biggest game of the season when they travel to Long Beach next Friday, March 26. The match will most likely be for the conference championship.
Burkhart did not like the way his team played against the Vikings in their only conference loss this season; a three-set sweep at home on March 5, and hopes they can compete at a higher level next Friday.
“We were disappointed the way we played them [Long Beach] the first time, so we’re going to work our butt off to play them better this time,” he said.
