by Timothy Weisberg | Nov 16, 2009 | Student Voice published stories-Fall 2009
Photo by Tony Sintic
Published on November 12, 2009
It was sophomore night for Ventura College, and the Pirates volleyball team did not disappoint in the last home for two players’ careers, sweeping the Oxnard College Condors (25-16, 25-21, 25-11) Thursday night at Ventura.
Sophomores Justine O’Connor and Elizabeth Gates were honored before the game for the two years they made a name for themselves at Ventura.
The two certainly had stellar careers for the Pirates, with O’Connor receiving 2nd-team all-WSC honors last year, as well as being second on the team in kill percentage and digs, and first in assists. Gates is first on the team in kill percentage for the Pirates this season.
The Pirates made sure they would not let down their sophomore players, but did struggle early in the first two sets. There were great rallies by both teams, and the first set featured a back-and-forth battle before the Pirates took an 11-9 lead.
After taking a two-point lead, the Pirates (10-10, 5-4 WSC) pulled away from the Condors (5-10, 0-8), which was sparked by an 8-0 run to take a commanding 20-11 lead, before taking the set 25-16.
The second set proved to be a big test for the Pirates, as the Condors took a quick 2-0 lead, and score four of the first five points of the set. It was 15-11 before the Pirates cut the lead to one, and Taylor Edsell’s ace tied the set at 18, and the Pirates took their first lead at 19-18. Another Edsell ace gave the Pirates their biggest lead of the set at 21-18, and a Condor service fault completed the comeback, as the Pirates won the second set 25-21.
After a struggle to take the second set, the Pirates made sure they would complete the sweep, starting off the set strong by taking a 4-0 lead. The Pirates lead by as many as 13 points, before completing the sweep, decisively taking the third set 25-11.
Pirate head coach Mandy Arnold-Rodriguez believed her team played well despite struggling to find a rhythm in the first two sets.
“I was happy with the way the girls played,” she said. “I think we had really good hitting, especially from our outside hitters.”
The Pirates complete their regular season with a trip to Santa Barbara City College on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Coach Arnold-Rodriguez believes that if the Pirates minimize their errors, they can beat the first-place Vaqueros, who would share the WSC title with the Moorpark College Raiders if they lose to the Pirates.
“I think that we are going to have to eliminate our small errors,” she said. “A team like that is going to capitalize off those [errors].”
by Timothy Weisberg | Nov 16, 2009 | Student Voice published stories-Fall 2009
Photo by Kyle Ray
Published on November 14, 2009
It seemed only fitting for the Moorpark College Raiders to be put in the record books albeit a painful record: its first winless season in program history.
Destiny laid in the hands of the Ventura College Pirates in this year’s Citrus Cup match-up, and the Pirates (7-3, 5-2 National Northern Conference) edged out the Raiders 41-28 at Moorpark Saturday night.
The victory guaranteed the Pirates a chance to play in a bowl game next week.
The Raiders (0-10, 0-6) had a reputation this season for having one critical mistake change the outcome of the game and de ja vu struck the Raiders when they attempted to move past the Pirates’ last stand. Raiders quarterback Ian Shultis made the mental mistake by not going out of bounds after scrambling away from Pirate defenders, as the clock continued to run with less than a minute left.
As if the Glendale game was not a bitter reminder of what an interception late in the game can do to you, Shultis was reminded again when he was intercepted in the waning seconds by Deslonde Brown, who shattered any hopes of an upset, returning the interception 34 yards for a touchdown to seal Moorpark’s fateful season of imperfection.
Last week against Glendale, Moorpark appeared to be getting over the hump before Shultis’ pass was tipped into the hands of a Glendale defender, and returned for a touchdown. This time, with the implications of setting a quite painful record, the Raiders faltered in another close game.
Pirates head coach Jon Mack did not hesitate to commend the Raiders’ efforts in a season full of misfortunes and missed opportunities.
“They showed great character all year,” he said. “Their team is a lot better than their record indicates.”
Having lost their last three games of the season by two touchdowns or less, in games that were close until the very end, Mack made a point by indicating that Moorpark was misrepresented by their winless season.
On a positive note for the Pirates, Mack was pleased with the way his team performed through major adversity throughout the season.
“We’re real proud of the way we stuck together,” he said. “We’re really proud of these kids.”
The Raiders should be frustrated to say the least, especially if they were to discover that they had more yards of total offense (387) than the Pirates (317).
Shultis was 37 for 57 on pass attempts for 305 yards, and had four touchdown passes, but nothing proved more costly than his interception late that guaranteed a season of imperfection for the Raiders.
Raider receiver Chris Gant put on a show for the Raiders offensively, racking in ten catches for 120 yards and three touchdowns.
But despite the great offensive performance by the Raiders, they had to continue to play from behind, and could never quite get over the hump.
The Pirates capitalized on turnovers, converting two of them into 14 points, and scored on three drives where they started inside Raider territory.
It was a close call for the Pirates to say the least, who still have to play a bowl game next week.
As Ventura heads into the bowl game, Mack has no preference to whom his team plays.
“At this point, you’re just honored to be able to play in a bowl game,” he said. “We’re honored to have finished as well as we finished.”
by Timothy Weisberg | Nov 16, 2009 | Student Voice published stories-Fall 2009
Photo courtesy of Jerell Thomas
Published on November 11, 2009
Jerell Thomas is part of a big football family. To him, he is simply another Thomas brother who carries on the tradition of playing football.
He is the second-youngest out of the four. His oldest brother, Kevin Thomas(Q-To), is a fifth-year senior starting cornerback for the USC Trojans; the middle child, Marcelo Thomas, formerly played for Moorpark College before nagging injuries forced him to end his football career; and his youngest brother is a senior at Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, and plays varsity football for the Spartans.
Thomas, 19, was born in St. Louis, Missouri before moving to Oxnard in 2001, at the age of twelve. He actually did not start playing football competitively until the 8th grade, and believed playing backyard football with his older brothers helped him pick up the game quickly.
“Before that [playing football competitively] I played backyard football…I mean I got four brothers; we’ve always got a lot of people to play with,” he said. “A lot of competition.”
He also believed his older brothers acted as role models for him, and really taught him how to play the game right and develop as a player.
“I look up to them a lot…I mean they teach me a lot about the game, how to love it, respect it,” he said. “You pretty much have to thank God for everyday you have to play the game.”
Thomas, who plays running back and cornerback for the Raiders, went to Rio Mesa High School, following his older brother’s footsteps to stardom. By the time he was a sophomore, he was playing varsity, then being able to play with Marcelo, who is two years his senior.
During his Rio Mesa days, he developed his game, and was recruited by a couple Pac-10 schools and other Division I schools, including San Jose State, Fresno State, UCLA, the University of Washington, and the University of Arizona.
Thomas enjoyed his experiences playing at the Oxnard school, and believed the football program taught him teamwork among other things.
“I think the program taught me how to work hard, and have heart and play the game with heart,” he said.
In the end, however, he played his freshman year at Mt. San Antonio College, but moved back home to be closer to his family, and also for financial reasons, since junior colleges do not award athletic scholarships.
A kinesiology major, Thomas plans on transferring to a four-year school, to continue his academic career as well as his football career. With a year of eligibility left at Moorpark, he is undecided on whether he will be gone after this year, or if he will use his last year of eligibility. After all, he still needs to finish his general coursework.
Thomas’ favorite player is current Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, although he still idolizes his all-time favorite player: former NFL cornerback Deon Sanders.
“He [Sanders] had a lot of confidence on the field,” Thomas said. “And I like to bring that into my game because I believe it makes me play better.”
Thomas was influenced by Sanders, who he believed taught athletes how to have fun playing the game.
“He [Sanders] always had fun playing out there on the field,” Thomas said. “He showed the fans a good time.”
In his spare time, Thomas enjoys hanging out with friends, going to the movies, and playing video games, predominantly the Madden franchise, which he plays competitively online with other players.
Whether it’s at Rio Mesa Friday nights or at Moorpark or USC Saturday nights, you will always find Thomas’ parents at their games. The tight-knit group is very active during football season, and continues to support a family who has found a niche in the game of football.
“My parents, they’re real supportive,” he said. “We have a big family so during football season that’s all they do pretty much on the weekend…so it’s a football-filled weekend and they have a lot of fun watching us.”
by Timothy Weisberg | Nov 10, 2009 | Student Voice published stories-Fall 2009
Photo by Tony Sintic
Published on November 6, 2009
The Moorpark College women’s volleyball team is kind of like a monopoly; they are one team, or entity, that overpowers its competition.
While this might not be economics, they are the monopolistic competition that continues to stiff out its Western State Conference competition, sweeping the Allan Hancock Bulldogs (5-9, 1-5 WSC) in three sets (25-13, 25-18, 25-19) Friday night at Raider Pavilion.
The Raiders (17-1, 7-0 ) extended their winning streak to twelve games after tonight’s victory. During that streak, the Raiders have stifled the competition, dropping only five sets in twelve matches, showing why they are ranked no. 4 in the state.
Despite the sweep, Raiders head coach Steve Burkhart believes the team really needs to focus on their next match, arguably the biggest match of the year, against second-place Santa Barbara City College next Tuesday.
“We have a really tough match ahead of us Tuesday,” he said. “We are trying to stay focused on winning the WSC.”
And for the match ahead of them, Burkhart did not hesitate to express his displeasure with tonight’s performance, believing his team did not play to their potential.
“We were a little out of sync out there,” he said. “If you make mistakes, they are going to beat you.”
The Raiders began the match completely out of sync, giving up consecutive aces, which gave the Bulldogs a quick 2-0 lead.
But whatever the Bulldogs did, the Raiders could do better, and Raider middle blocker Chelcy Westphal added two straight aces herself to tie the set.
The Raiders were up 11-6, but the Bulldogs cut the lead to 12-10. The Raiders made sure the Bulldogs could not spark a comeback, and they sealed the set after a 7-0 run to take a 19-10 lead, and eventually won 25-13.
The second set saw the Raiders take advantage of their offensive firepower, when they took a 10-6 lead, and two straight aces by sophomore Rachel Olinyk extended the lead to 13-6. The Raiders scored two more points to take a 15-6 lead, and were able to take the all-important second set 25-18.
The Bulldogs put up a fight in the third set, taking advantage of another lackluster start for the Raiders on an ace from Tiffany Isel, which gave the Bulldogs a 3-0 advantage. Once again, however, the Raiders woke up and showed who was the better team, tying it up 4-4, before taking the lead 9-7.
A 5-0 run put them up 14-7, but the Bulldogs fought back again cutting the lead three points. The comeback proved to be too little too late, however, and a Sara Justin kill gave the Raiders a 21-17 advantage, and the Raiders completed their third sweep in four matches, winning the set 25-19.
Raiders’ setter Olivia White, who had 31 assists on the night, believed they usually start slow, but are able to bounce back and get into the game.
“We start out slow, and then wake up, and are then focused,” said White.
She did also add the importance for them to get off to a good start against a talented Santa Barbara team.
“We’re going to have to start strong…play together and make less errors,” said White.
by Timothy Weisberg | Nov 10, 2009 | Student Voice published stories-Fall 2009
Photo by Kyle Ray
Published on November 7, 2009
Tim Weisberg
Sports editor
Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers; they are something football coaches preach and preach not to do, but teams still manage to turn the ball over.
Two costly turnovers by the Ventura College Pirates ultimately cost them the game, in light of some missed opportunities in the red zone, falling to Allan Hancock College 28-21 Saturday night.
Pirate head coach Jon Mack believed the Pirates had some chances to win the game, but could not take advantage of them.
“Tonight we certainly had opportunities to win the game,” he said. “We have to get better.”
“Better” is probably the best word to describe a team that has lost two straight games, including a blowout loss at Bakersfield College, before they have to take on a pesky Moorpark College team desperate for a win.
Mack says that their next game is the most important, garnishing many implications on where they will stand in the playoffs, win or lose. He certainly does not overlook the Raiders, and believes a strong performance overall will be needed to get past their conference rival.
“It’s a critical game if we want to go to a bowl,” he said. “Moorpark has played very competitive in every game [this season].”
The Pirates, in a game full of missed opportunities, had a chance to score on their opening drive after they converted a fourth down pass. In Bulldog territory, the Raiders had a costly offensive pass interference call that pushed them to a third-and-long situation, and were forced to kick a field goal, only to have the 45-yarder go wide right.
The Bulldogs were the first to score in a game that started slowly for both teams offensively, on a 3-yard run by Thomas Sua with 13:49 remaining in the second quarter.
The Pirates got a great return on the ensuing kick-off, as well as extra yardage tacked on by a personal foul call, only to see the drive turn disastrous when Jimenez’ pass was picked off by leaping defensive lineman John Sua, giving the Bulldogs excellent field position.
Despite a holding call that negated a seven-yard run, Sua added his second touchdown of the night on fifteen-yard run on a long third-and-goal to give the Bulldogs a two-touchdown lead.
The Pirates dodged a bullet when Sua was about to score a third touchdown before the half ended, but fumbled at the one-yard line trying to dive into the end zone, and the game stayed 14-7 at the half.
The Bulldogs got all of their offense from Sua, who scored four touchdowns to cap off a night where the Bulldogs rushed the ball for 316 yards.
The Pirates put on a surge late to try and come back, but Pirates quarterback Antavius Sims coughed the ball up in the red zone, his second fumble of the night, and the Pirates were never able to recover.
They scored a touchdown with 14 seconds remaining on a 25-yard touchdown pass to Pirate receiver Nick Karam, who appeared to lateral the ball to running back Kris Parham as he was being tackled at the one.
The Pirates tried to pull the improbable comeback, but the Bulldogs recovered the onside kick, and they ran out the clock to put an ending to a night full of “shoulda, coulda, woulda.”
And what did Mack want to help his team end their skid next week against rival Moorpark College?
“We need our 12th man,” he said. “It is a big game versus Moorpark.”
Mack wants to see Pirate fans make the trip down to Moorpark as they take on the Raiders next Saturday at 6 p.m.
by Timothy Weisberg | Nov 4, 2009 | Student Voice published stories-Fall 2009
Published on November 3, 2009
It was only a matter of time before the Moorpark College Raiders’ offensive prowess would pay off as they took 23 shots on goal, defeating Cuesta College 3-0 Tuesday afternoon after a slow start.
The Raiders (13-0-3, 8-0-1 Western State Conference) completely dominated the game, holding the Cougars (5-10-3, 4-4-1 Western State Conference) to an astonishing two shots on goal, but kept the game close because they could not find a way to score.
The Raiders controlled the ball the majority of the game, and were able to stop the Cougars everytime they passed midfield, but could not capitalize offensively.
No. 12 gave Leanna Aceves a great outlet pass, opening up a one-on-one shot 14 minutes in , but Aceves could not punch it in. No. 12 had another great pass moments later to No. 2, but her shot went wide right.
After so many missed opportunities to score, the Raiders were able to knock one in after No. 2 was able to beat the Cougar goalie to the ball, kicking a soft liner that trailed toward the net with 4:26 left in the first half.
Raider head coach Eric Privot acknowledged the fact his team struggled to take control of the game early, but believed that their ability to keep playing hard and never give up helped them eventually overpower the Cougars.
“Our girls showed incredible force of character,” he said. “The desire to succeed in the end paid off.”
The Raiders’ desire to succeed showed in the second half, when freshman Lindsay McClellan scored two goals in the final twelve minutes to push the lead to 3-0.
Despite the Raiders’ inability to score and change the complexion of a game they were clearly dominating, Privot is confident his team will play hard in their biggest game of the season this Friday at Ventura College, and play to win.
“We got to go there to win,” Privat said. “I believe our talent and our speed will make a difference in the end.”
Each team controls their own destiny heading into Friday’s match-up, with a victory guaranteeing a WSC title.
