Volleyball scholar strikes a deal Barsemian commits to division II university

Randi Love Reporter rlove.roundupnews@gmail.com

Volleyball player Raymond Barsemian received a full tuition scholarship to Concordia University Irvine beginning in the fall of 2016 for his academics and athletics.

Barsemian played four years of high school volleyball at Crescenta Valley High School prior to making the decision to attend Pierce College.

Lance Walker has been the head coach of the men’s volleyball team the past 4 years. Walker also played at Pierce and won a state championship.

“When we first recruited him, he was just a very humble individual,” Walker said. “He had the opportunity to go to California State University, Northridge and decided that Pierce might actually be a better fit for him.”

The players work together as a unit not just as a team.

“He would have been going to Northridge as a walk on. He took a chance in our program and we are grateful for that.” Walker said.

Men’s volleyball and women’s volleyball are able to motivate and help each other out. Isaiah Williams and Bea

Hernandez find Barsemian to be an asset to both team.

Barsemian and Williams have known each other since last summer. Williams is the setter on the team.

“I received a real friendly aura from first meeting him,” Williams said. “Watching him play, I was impressed by his athletic ability.”

Bea Hernandez is on the women’s beach volleyball team and has known Barsemian since last semester.

“He’s tall and he has an amazing vertical,” Hernandez said. “I definitely see him going far in his career as a player.”

Although he qualified right out of high school, Barsemian has taken the opportunity to grow as a player while at Pierce get to see his progression,” Walker said. “He’s a talented guy and a lot of guys in our league can’t match up with his physique.” Volleyball wasn’t the only reason Barsemian choose this college.

“I was pretty excited; I was waiting for other top schools. I decided that it [Concordia Irvine] was the best overall option, it’s a little church school,” Barsemian said. “I’m pretty religious, I go to church every Sunday.”

He didn’t start out in this sport originally but his heart led him in that direction.

“I played basketball my first year as a freshmen and I wanted to play volleyball because basketball was done. Then I fell in love with it after the first day.” Barsemian said.

His plans for the future include playing professionally in Europe, Italy or Russia after graduating then coach.

“He’s dedicated and he loves the sport a lot, that will only push him to get better.” Hernandez said.

Pierce, before transferring to play Division I tennis at the University of Nevada for two years. Dao returned as an assistant coach for Pierce in 2010.

“He’s going to be helpful to his athletes as they are winding their way to Pierce as an athlete and as a student,” said Athletic Director, Bob Lofrano. “If you’re a Brahma and you’re in the program, it means something to you.”

Dao approaches the game with a calm demeanor, where it seems like nothing bothers the new head coach.

Kiran Dev, 20, a film major, is on his second year playing for the men’s tennis team. He was able to be coached by the last year’s assistant coach Dao and this year’s new head coach Dao. He also said that the old head coach and the new head coach has differences, according to him.

“It’s almost like fire and ice. The coach from last year, he is so energetic and blunt while Long is very calm and collected. He’s [Dao] got a different approach, a different perspective to the game which I’ve never seen from any other coach,” Dev said.

Lofrano and Dev both describes Dao as calm. Nothing bothers the new head coach, according to Lofrano.

“He [Dao] likes to keep things simple, very calm all the time. I’ve never seen him mad or angry,” Dev added.

Lofrano is looking forward that Dao will bring more student athletes to the team and help them.

Currently, there are five members of the team, according to Dev. Dao and Dev are encouraging students to join and become a part of the team.

The men’s tennis team trains Monday to Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dao said that usually the matches are on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon.

“I encourage people to try because it’s an experience that you can’t really get anywhere else. I’ve been with this team for so long. I’m invested and I am here to try my best, to make them succeed in the best I can,” Dao said.

Dao puts a lot of effort for his team as the new head coach including providing uniforms at Dao’s own expense, according to Dev.

SCHEDULE

March 16- March 23

Softball

Thursday, March 17 BYE date

Tuesday, March 22 @ Hancock 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Tennis

Thursday, March 17 vs. Ventura 12 p.m.

Tuesday, March 22 BYE date

Swim and Dive

Saturday, March 19 WSC @ Santa Barbara City College 10 a.m.

Saturday, March 19 Dive #3 @ Ventura 11 a.m.

Men's Volleyball

Wednesday, March 16 @ Moorpark 6 p.m.

Friday, March 18 @ LA TradeTech 6 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23 vs. Santa Barbara 6 p.m.

Baseball with, it’s good that we will have him for a year and

Wednesday, March 16 @ Rio Hondo 2:30 p.m.

Friday, March 18 vs. Cuesta 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 23 vs. Harbor 2 p.m.

Brahma Week of the

everything I do in the game and end up doing it.

What is the number one thing you want to see yourself improve on?

Probably to make sure I establish every pitch that I have. Including the fast pitches.

What has been the most challenging part of the season?

Before a game, is there any pre-game songs you listen to?

Yes, it’s Jumpman, because every time I come out here or even at home it’s my walk out song. If it’s an away game we listen to it in the car.

How do you prepare for games?

Just stay relaxed. I try not to think about it. If I think about it too much I get nervous. I just visualize

Probably winning. Since we won on Saturday we are probably going to pick back up. Its great to start the second part of the season with a win.

After the season is over, how do you want your teammates and coaches to remember you by?

Just a fun guy. They know I won’t hurt a fly. So probably as a nice guy.

“He instills his trust in me which gives me a major confidence boost while playing,” Williams said. “If Raymond was not on our team this year we would be missing a key component needed to be successful.”

Sports briefs

Brahmas baseball lost to Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros, 5-2 at Pierce’s Kelly Field on Thursday, March 10.

Two players, one from each team were each hit in the helmet by pitches of the opposing team, which resulted in walks to first base.

There were no home runs for either side, but scored on runs. Some of the RBI’s in the game resulted in double plays.

Brahma’s head coach, Bill Picketts and his team, viewed the loss as a chance to improve for future games.

“We executed well, we bonded well. Their guy was pretty vgood [and] did a good job shutting us down, but overall it was not a horrible game and there is definitely some positive I could take out of it,” Picketts said.

The next home game for baseball is on Friday, March 18 vs. Cuesta at 2:30 p.m.

Ahmadreza Rastegarrazi / Roundup

Raymond Barsemian poses with a volleyball in the South Gym at pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Pierce College started off Barsemian’s college career through a showcase tournament this past November.

“He was looked at by a lot of schools, he got a few offers and he choose Concordia

Women's Beach Volleyball

Irvine,” Walker said. “There’s a great coaching staff over there and I think it’s a great fit for both the coach and for Raymond. It makes us really happy over here too.”

Friday, March 18 @ Bakersfield and Ventura 10 a.m.