As we inch our way closer to the two-month mark into this fall semester, one Raider team is off to a particularly impressive start and are chomping at the bit for the attention of Moorpark College sports fans.
In a complete 180-degree turn from last season’s 8-14 record, the women’s volleyball squad, led by head coach Steve Burkhart, hit the ground running this past September, recording eight wins in their first 10 matches.
Needless to say, something is different for our Raiders this 2016 season. Compared to only three sophomores last year, 2016’s roster showcases eight returning players, bringing a plethora of experience to the table.
“We already know what to expect,” said sophomore co-captain Cindy Norris, 19, Nutrition major. “We’re definitely stronger than most teams in this [Western State Conference].”
Having the majority of the team with at least one year of collegiate-level volleyball under their belt has clearly paid off. In the first eight victories of the season, our Raiders cleaned house with seven sweeps, annihilating opponent after opponent three sets to zero.
Even the short bump in this early road, losing two nail-biting matches in a row in mid-September to the top ranked team in California, Grossmont College, then to San Diego Mesa College, has proven to be a positive experience.
“We were neck-and-neck with [Grossmont and San Diego Mesa],” said Norris. “We can beat anyone if we can get close to those teams…it gave us a boost of confidence.”
With conference play rapidly approaching, the women’s volleyball team will challenge itself to keep this momentum up throughout the long season. In doing so, self-expectations are set for nothing less than success.
“I want to win state [championships] with this team,” said Norris. “First off, I want to win conference [championships]; that’s one of our biggest goals right now, but hopefully we’ll get up to state champions.”
The currently 8-5 Moorpark College women’s volleyball team begins Western State Conference home matches with Cuesta College on Friday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. inside Raider Pavilion. Admission for all matches is free with a valid student ID. For match results, team stats, and the full 2016 schedule, please visit the web address below.
http://www.cccaasports.org/sports/wvball/2016-17/teams/moorpark
