Pirates volleyball falters at Santa Rosa

Those who predicted the Porterville College women’s volleyball season would come to an end against Northern California’s two-time defending champs were unfortunately right, as the Lady Pirates fell three games to one.

“The girls put up a great fight,” said PC coach Dale Henderson. “The first game was intense.”

While the action was back and fourth in the first game, it was PC (20-6) that came out on top in the start of second-round playoff action, winning 26-24 against the Santa Rosa Bear Cubs (24-2). The Bear Cubs posted a perfect 14-0 record in conference play.

“We’re the first team to go into their gym and win the first game,” Henderson said.

In games two and three, PC was just outplayed, Henderson said. The Pirates lost those both by scores of 25-15.

“The second and third games, they just overpowered us,” he said.

PC put up a better battle in the final game, staying neck-and-neck with Santa Rosa through the first 16 points.

“We had them on the edge,” Henderson said.

The Pirates couldn’t hang on, however, eventually falling 25-18.

For PC, Amanda Monge led the team with 20 kills, three digs and a pair of blocks.

Nayeli Colunga had 11 kills and 13 digs, and Allison Clem had nine kills, an assist and 11 digs. Samantha Sawyer had 35 assists on the night, along with 10 digs, and Kacey Markarian had 13 digs.

Henderson said the team had an “excellent” season, with five players making the All-Conference team. Those will be among the awards handed out sometime in the next two weeks during the team’s annual end-of-season banquet.

Before that, however, five of the team’s sophomore players will be headed to Fullerton Junior College in Orange County to participate in a showcase for scouts during the State Championships.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Pirates continue searching for first win of the season
The PC men’s basketball team is now 0-6 on the season after suffering a 94-56 loss in the to Citrus College, host of the Neil Edwards Classic Tournament in Glendale.

“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” said coach T.J. Jennings. “It’s one of those things. We’ve got to keep trying to improve.”

In the Pirates defense, Citrus was in the final four last season and is a perennial favorite.
“They’re stacked,” Jennings said, “but we didn’t play to our potential.”

The Pirates were down by 16 points at the half, trailing 46-30, and Jennings thinks his team may have given up then.

“The second half wasn’t very good. We didn’t identify their best shooter.”

The team is still not scoring well from outside the three-point line, sinking just one of nine on the night.

“That was huge for us,” Jennings said.

Jennings said Elijah Henningham had a “exceptional game” with three blocked shots, six rebounds, a steal and 11 points scored.

“He played a complete game,” the coach said.

At point guard, Eric Moore scored nine points for PC.

Jennings said the team must learn to play without taking any single play off.

“We are stressing competition regardless of the score,” he said. “If we can instill that early, then late will be better for us.”

The Pirates will be on the road next week, facing Modesto Junior College at 4 p.m. Thursday in tournament play in South Sacramento.