Men's Volleyball Comes Up Short to Orange Coast College in CCCAA State Finals

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. - The No. 7 Warriors (12-8) fought hard against No. 1 Orange Coast College (21-1) in the CCCAA State Finals but fell to the Pirates 3-0. Despite valiant effort on behalf of El Camino, Orange Coast won all three matches by four points (25-21, 25-21, 25-21).

The competition saw the match tie several times, but the Warriors were unable to surpass the Pirate's strong offensive efforts. The Warriors recorded 12 kills in the first set while the Pirates earned 16.

El Camino finished the second set with seven errors but despite the Pirates recording eight, Orange Coast continued to hold the lead. After six straight points by the Pirates, they staggered and handed the Warriors three straight points off errors. With the Pirates still holding the lead, PJ Tulikihihifo earned two kills for the Warriors. Cesar Medina's attack attempt resulted in an error which gave the Pirates the set point.

The Warriors' continued to battle as they went into the third set. A service ace by Jaden Misaalefua put the Warriors one point behind the Pirates, but followed with a service error which put the ball back on the Pirate's side. After a kill by the Pirates, Christopher Phanngam responded with a kill of his own. Jordan Hoppe finished out the day for the Pirates with back-to-back kills to end the competition.

Tulikihihifo led the Warriors with a total of 13 kills, Medina followed with 12. Phanngam recorded 10 kills for the Warriors and also accounted for seven of the team's 16 digs.