by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on September 22, 2009
Ara Ortiz
Assistant Sports editor
The Oxnard College women’s volleyball team had one win in four years before the ‘09-‘10 season. The Condors have since tripled their win total over the past four years, currently sitting at 3-0.
OC has beaten L.A. Harbor, Mt. San Jacinto and L.A. City College, all very good teams. In the first two games, OC won in three very close matches, and in its third game, OC was put to the test with L.A. Harbor. Tied at two games each, the Condors bounced back winning the fifth and final match.
The man leading the way is former professional volleyball player, and second-year coach, David Fischer. Fischer is ecstatic about his team’s success.
“It feels great! Fischer said, “I won’t lie.”
Fischer believed his team’s ability to play well defensively has ultimately led to their stunning 3-0 start. He credits his team’s success to their ability take on new tasks.
“All the dumb sayings are true, defense wins games,” said Fischer. “Everybody [is] willing to play a role even if it’s a different one than they [had] last year.”
His team is taking great lengths to do what it takes to win matches.
“With this group, everyone is willing to play a different position or even not play and they don’t roll their eyes,” said Fischer. “They don’t complain. They just do it. Whatever helps the team.”
Last season, setter Ashley Lajoie went down with a knee injury. When Lajoie returned, she switched to the libero position, and illustrated by example the mindset Fischer had set.
Last year, the Condors won only one game. As a result, Fischer decided to do things differently this year.
“We’ve asked the players to be available for an extra Saturday beach workout,” he said. “We’ve asked players volunteer to come early and pass balls a couple days a week.”
Fischer also credits his assistant coach, Jill Muhe, for contributing to the team’s recent success.
“[Jill] is a big part our [team]”, Fischer said. “[She is] enforcer of the team because she adds intensity to the practices.”
Even though they are off to a great start, Fischer believes his team should not take any match lightly.
“A one lost record is just a measure of who you’re beating not how you’re playing,” Fischer said. “We know that there are teams that are 0-3 that we need to take seriously.”
According to Fischer, volleyball has been revived to an otherwise dismal program at Oxnard College.
“A lot of people don’t realize that Oxnard has volleyball again,” he said. “I don’t think anybody would of bet that we would be sitting at 3-0.”
by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on September 22, 2009
Zach Poisal
Staff writer
The Fullerton Hornets dominated nearly every aspect of the match, steamrolling over Ventura College in three straight sets (19-25, 21-25, 18-25).
Every player on the roster except big hitter Chelsea O’Mara, who was sidelined due to back spasms, played in the loss. Kayla Phipps smashed in seven kills to lead the team, while Justine O’Connor, Talyor Edsell, and Shelbee Younce all had 11 digs a piece.
The first 11 points of the match featured 10 ties and 8 lead changes. Unfortunately for the Pirates, they were unable to hang on and the Hornets took a six point lead after a large scoring spurt. The inability to capitalize on Fullerton mistakes and overcome poor communication contributed to Ventura dropping the first set 25-19.
The second match featured many long rallies early on. The back and forth battle didn’t last long though, when Fullerton built its lead to six points once again. Ventura was able to cut the lead to one, only to see the Hornets pull out the victory, taking the set 25-21.
Anne Westbrook noticed that the team has a bad habit of letting these large runs occur.
“We started off pumped-up in warm-ups and [at the] beginning of the game,” she stated.
“We lost a couple points and just got down on ourselves, and couldn’t bring it back together.”
Even though tons of fresh bodies were substituting nearly every point throughout the third set, it was not a recipe for Pirates success. Once again, Ventura built up a large deficit, trailing 20-12. Fullerton dominated the entire set, taking the third and final set 25-18.
Coach Arnold-Rodriguez sees room for improvement and uses this match as a learning experience.
“They know what they need to do, now they need to start doing it,” Arnold said.
“Continually tell them the same thing to do over and over and over again, now they need to start putting it into action.”
by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Photo by Mariah Devins
Published on September 19, 2009
Shoaib Najmuddin
Staff writer
The Oxnard College men’s soccer team handed Santiago Canyon its first loss Tuesday afternoon when the Condors took care of business at home and defeated the Hawks in a 3-1 victory.
At the beginning of the first half, the game was seemingly in the Hawks’ favor as the Condors were out-maneuvered down the field. The first score came in the 23rd minute when Hawk midfielder Eric Duarte took advantage of a hole in the Oxnard defense making a quick decisive pass to forward Manuel Gonoza, who kicked the ball into the right corner of the net.
Oxnard College’s sluggish start was no surprise for head coach Ross Greaney, who had foreseen the defensive breakdown.
“We started out flat,” said Greaney. “I knew that was going to happen. We needed to play a little faster and a little harder.”
Midway through the first half, the Condors caught a bit of luck as a penalty kick was issued for a foul called near Santiago Canyon’s goal. Condor midfielder Jonathon Martinez capitalized by getting a goal off the penalty kick.
Martinez’s goal may have been the turning point for the Condors, as they effectively advancing the ball towards the Hawks’ net, keeping Hawk goal keeper Greg Griffin on his toes for the rest of the first half.
The Condors’ success in the end of the first half continued into the second. In the 55th minute, Griffin tried to catch the ball as it bounced away from him but it slipped out of his hands and landed in front of Condor forward Emigdio Ramirez, who took advantage by kicking the ball into the net to give Oxnard College a 2-1 lead.
With momentum on the Condors’ side, they looked to break the lead wide open. Just three minutes after Ramirez’s score, Condor forward Nathan Lytle outraced Hawk defenders, powering the ball behind Griffin and into the net for a 3-1 lead.
The Hawks looked for a comeback, but were overpowered by the Condors’ tenacious defense.
The Hawks did, however, come across several opportunities to score but could not capitalize.
Condor Head Coach Ross Greaney explained that the victory was not easy despite the end results.
“We gutted it out,” he said. “It was a tight physical game but we played with some strong defense.”
by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on September 19, 2009
Michael Prieto
Staff writer
Despite struggling to maintain possession of the ball early in the game, the Moorpark Raiders were able to rise to the occasion and walk away with a 1-0 victory over the Bakersfield Renegades.
The Renegades started off as the aggressor, keeping the ball away from the Raiders early. The game was tied at 0-0, but the Raiders were allowing the Renegades into their territory too often early. However, one play can change the complexion of the game no matter who the aggressor is.
That one play came from for a Raiders shot as that sneaked in the top left corner of the goal for the games first and only score.
That one score changed the entire complexion of the game as the Raiders would come into the second half more aggressive and determined. Despite this, the Raiders had many opportunities to put the game away, and could not capitalize .
Missed shots and unsuccessful corner kicks would seem to spell disaster for the Raiders, but their stifling defense allowed no breathing room for the Renegades to get back in the game.
Holding onto a narrow lead is not something that solely rests on the shoulders of playing good defense, and the Raiders were able to move the ball effectively, shedding time off the clock.
Head Coach Eric Privat believed the Raiders could and should have expanded upon their lead based on their ability to control the tempo of the game.
“[We had] position of the ball in midfield,” he said. “[We were] breaking down plays into tight spaces.”
The Raiders carry a winning record, hoping to keep adding some “W’s” to the win column when they take on L.A. Pierce College Friday, Sept. 25 at 4 p.m.
by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on September 16, 2009
Shoaib Najmuddin
Staff writer
The Condors were out of answers as the Antelope Valley College Marauders rolled over them in a disappointing 2-0 loss at home Tuesday afternoon.
Oxnard College initiated the game with energy as forward Nataly Marquez ran the ball down the field, but had a missed shot attempt. The ball was then kicked back to the Condors’ side of the field where it was kept most of the game, rarely ever reaching the Marauders’ goal keeper.
Forward Shannon Cox scored Antelope Valley College’s first point in the opening half when first-year goal keeper Antonia Barrios missed the potential block. Barrios had her work cut out for her as the Marauders maintained the ball in her vicinity throughout the game.
The Condors’ frustration was apparent in the 52nd minute when defender Karissa Ramos and Marauder forward Valerie Arciga fell to the ground after having their legs tangled. Ramos quickly stood up only to shove Arciga back to the ground, which resulted in a foul.
Later in the second half, the Marauders missed a scoring opportunity as the ball hit the pole and bounced away from the goal. However, only one minute passed before the Condors comeback hopes were shattered when midfielder Lauren Miszklevitz caught Antonia Barrios off balance and kicked the ball into the lower right corner of the net in the 84th minute.
Head coach Dario Pot blamed the Condors struggle to find continuity on the team’s lack of practice.
“We haven’t had a chance to run a decent training session,” Pot said. “With classes at different times it’s difficult.
Pot also pointed out the team’s inability to maintain possession of the ball.
“We just kick the ball around,” he said. “We need to push the ball through and focus on possession.”
With the season well underway and Oxnard College still struggling to play as a unit, the Condors remain optimistic that the team will progressively become more cohesive, consistent, and ultimately more successful.
by Timothy Weisberg | Sep 29, 2009 | Student Voice Edited Stories-Fall 2009
Published on September 17, 2009
Dan Lovi
Staff writer
The Moorpark men’s soccer team suffered its first loss of the season Tuesday, falling to Cyprus College 1-0.
The Chargers struck quickly, blasting a goal in the third minute of the game, the only score by either team. The loss was a heartbreaker because the Raiders dominated the majority of the game, but failed to get the ball in the net.
The first half saw both teams split possessions and shots on goal, though the Chargers’ goal in the early minutes turned out to be the deciding factor.
Head coach Sean Roche believed the Raiders was not ready for the quick strike.
“We were well matched physically, but complacent defensively,” he said. “We interacted too slowly in big possessions.”
The Raiders came out hot in the second half, attacking the opponent’s goal relentlessly and firing seven shots on goal, although none made it past the goalkeeper.
The Chargers only got off one shot in the second half and got out shot 10-4. Their first shot though, was all they needed.
Roche believes the team can learn from playing the tough and physical Chargers and use the experience to progressively improve.
“We created opportunities to make shots,” said Roche. “We play Compton Friday and they are a very strong team. We want to play very strong competition, we don’t want to play teams we can just beat up on.”
The Raiders are now 2-1-1 and travel to play Compton College Friday at 4 p.m.
