Undefeated in conference, the number one California community college men’s volleyball team heads into the championships this week with key players in the forefront.
The Vikings are undefeated in conference with a record of 12-0, an overall record of 19-1 and a winning streak of 18 games.
The goals that were set at the beginning of season were being conference champions and making it to the playoffs, which they achieved.
The team has dominated this season with players like Matthew Pennala, Cian Slade and Georgi Binev being big point scorers for the Vikings.
There has been a target on their backs this season because every team they play against wants to be the team to take the Vikings down and break their winning streak.
“I think it’s kind of cool. It’s something I think we need in order to push us,” said outside hitter Pennala.
“We’ve been in this position throughout the entire season, so the fact that we’ve been able to ride that wave this long also says a lot about our ability to stay focused while at the top,” added Pennala.
Few struggles arose for the Vikings this season, but next-play mentality and keeping good connections were big factors.
“We addressed [next play mentality] really early on in the season,” said middle blocker Slade, “for me, on the floor, it’s not affecting me as much as it did before and it’s really easy to move on now.”
“I think our biggest struggle throughout conference and even still right now, is that we need to make sure we understand what it feels like to be down a couple points, to be in a little bit of a hole, to have those bad moments, and we need to figure out a quicker and more efficient way to climb out of those holes and really come together,” said Pennala.
The Vikings’ mentality for playoffs is that of one who’s determined to win, the boys are hungry for that championship title.
“Our communication is really strong, so that’s helping us a lot,” said opposite and outside hitter Georgi Binev.
With Pennala, Slade and Binev all being freshmen this year, there is a high chance the Vikings can do this all again next season with a strong team.
Uncertainty is in the air for whether or not some will be returning next season, as school and transferring is a major priority for these boys, but regardless the Vikings are in a mode where they’re ready to take on whatever is thrown at them.
The Vikings secured several conference awards this year with Sean Nguyen receiving Player of the Year and Jonathan Charette receiving Coach of the Year.
Pennala and Binev made First Team All-Conference while Slade and outside hitter Cole Oliver made Second Team All-Conference.
The team defeated Santa Monica in the first round of State Playoffs last week, dominated San Diego Mesa in the semifinals on Thursday, and will be taking on Orange Coast College in the CCCAA championships on Saturday, April 29 at El Camino College at 7 p.m.