By Rogelio Alvarez
Volleyball team was shutout against Mt. San Antonio College 3-0 last Friday in the South Gym.
The Huskies are now 6-6 overall and 0-2 in South Coast-North Conference play.
Despite Mt. SAC’s well-coordinated offense, the Huskies fought hard to stay in the game.
“We didn’t give up. We kept fighting. We got over our mistakes quickly and we fought. We really wanted (the win),” ELAC freshman right side hitter Esther Duru said.
Duru lead the Huskies with 12 kills out of 18 attempts. ELAC freshman setter Taryn Higareda finished the game with 14 assists.
“We’re always teaching ‘fight,’ because if you don’t have that intensity and tenacity to fight, then what happens is, the game falls down below us,” ELAC head coach Elliot Walker said.
The Huskies came close to winning the first set after a back-and-forth start, but came up short 25-21. Mt. SAC showed superiority in the remaining two sets, winning 25-16 and 25-15.
“The difference between our team and their team is that they’re at least, about 80 percent club players, so their experience and knowledge is little more fast in what they’re trying to accomplishing compared to our kids who are learning the game for the first time. So, what we do is, we emphasize teamwork to get to that level and how to use our game options and variations to play smart in the fight,” Walker said.
The ELAC players on-and-off the court, kept cheering their teammates on regardless of the score.
“It’s important to continue because you never want to give up. The outcome is always great when you don’t give up. That’s how wins happen,” Duru said.
ELAC sophomore outside hitter Angela Wade, freshman middle hitter Jasmin Andres and Duru combined defensively for a total of 26 digs out of the 36 overall total for the team.
Wade led the defense with 10 digs. Duru and Andres were not far behind with eight digs each.
“I could’ve passed much better today and had better focus on my passing,” Duru said.
Walker felt that ELAC could have improved their commitment to passing throughout the match.
“What we’re trying to do is build both technical and mental (skills) to get to the competitive game,” Walker said.
ELAC responded to Mt. SAC’s dominance during the three sets by putting them on the defensive, using with quick, unpredictable attacks.
“We ran some offensive options that we had not practiced, which was great. I saw how they can respond on the drop of the dime. We maintained a steady focus in the game. We stayed on our game plan which
The Huskies continue Southern Coast-North Conference play today at Pasadena City College at 6 p.m. and will play away at Chaffey College this Friday at 6 p.m.