Brahmas' back-to-back heartache Volleyball loses state championship game for second year in a row

JOSHUA MANES Reporter @tweeporting

The dreams of a fourth state title since 2010 will have to wait after Pierce fell to the Fresno City College Rams in straight sets at the state championship title game on Sunday, Dec. 4.

The Brahmas had no answer for the Rams and tournament MVP Jenna Goldsberry as Fresno City College seemed to control the net throughout the three set match.

“We lost to a better team, plain and simple,” head coach Nabil Mardini said. “We tried different things but couldn't break them. They were solid on defense, solid on service. They have the guns, the setting. They’re a good team.”

The first set was back and forth, the teams trading the first seven points of the match. For much of the match, the largest lead either team would hold was three points until the Rams reached set point at 24-20, and then put the set away 25-20.

The Brahmas would come out the gates strong in the second set taking an early 6-2 lead. The Rams would climb back into it, tying the set up at seven.

The teams went back and forth until the Rams took control at 23-19. Pierce would fight back in the second set, cutting the deficit to one at 2322. It wasn’t enough as Fresno City College would take set two by a score of 25-23.

The third and final set would again see the two teams jockey back and forth for control. The Rams took and early four point lead, but Pierce would battle back and take a four point lead of their own at 23-19.

The Brahmas held set point in the third at 24-22, but they would not score again. Fresno claimed the third set 26-24 and claimed their trophy on Ken Stanley Court.

To make it to the title game, the Brahmas went through a grueling five-set match against El Camino College the previous night. With a 17 hour turn around after the semifinals, assistant coach Danetta Boykin made no excuses.

“Fresno played their game,” Boykin said. “They picked up everything, covered, served. We didn’t execute at the times that we should have, but we played a really good game, too. I don’t think there was an emotional hangover from last night. We as a whole are really proud of last night.” jmanes.roundupnews@gmail.com

Coming into the postseason, Pierce was the No. 2 team in the state. To make it to the title game, Fresno City College took out the top ranked team in the state, Grossmont College, with a straight set victory in the semifinals.