Jamal Balkhi returned to libero on friday night, in Moorpark’s 3-1 losing effort in Men’s Volleyball against Santa Barbara. The final scores were 25-19, 25-12, 24-26, 25-12.

The Raiders came into the game looking to avenge their last loss against Long Beach City College. The started off back and forth, and the game was tied midway through the first set. Yet Santa Barbara was able to gain the lead, a little over halfway during the first set, and Moorpark was unable to get over the hump.

“We have a really hard time keeping our momentum,” said Balkhi, co-captain of the team. “We’ll gain momentum, and lose it with a serve into the net. We need to keep our momentum, and keep our head straight.”

The struggles continued in the second set for the host team. The visiting Vaqueros hitters played outstanding, and it was hard for the Raider’s to dig the spikes, and develop a rhythm.

Head coach Aaron Hedland believes in over thinking things. He thinks the team was playing too tense, feels the team plays better when they are relaxed, and feeds of their instincts.

In the third set, things changed for the Raiders, and they jumped out to a seven point lead early on. Their passing an energy was key to the great start. Things got tight toward in the end of the set but the Raiders were able to escape by two, to force a fourth set.

In the fourth set, it was all Santa Barbara.

Michael Esper, outside hitter, said they lacked energy in the final set, and that is what led to the eventual loss in the set, and losing the match.

Esper and Nicholas Shoemate led the way for the Raiders. Esper had 16 kills, and 2 digs, while Shoemate had 38 assists accounting for over 90% of the Raider assists.

The Raiders look forward to the next game as the play the first place Santa Monica Cosairs, Wednesday in the Raider Pavilion.