It was supposed to be a clash of titans, the No. 1 team in the state hosting the No. 4 team in the state in both squad’s regular season finale, with a conference championship on the line. Instead? It was just another routine win for Long Beach City College’s men’s volleyball team, as they took down El Camino Real in four sets, 25-21, 25-15, 23-25, 25-18.
The win closes the regular season for the Vikings at an undefeated slate of 19-0, and gives LBCC a third consecutive conference championship. Up next is a state quarterfinal at home on Friday against Miramar, and then the California Final Four in Fullerton on April 26and 28.
“Now that the regular season is over, we’re 0-0,” said Vikings coach Jonathan Charette. “We have to win every match to keep going.”
They won Friday night’s showdown emphatically. The Vikings controlled the first and second sets and dropped a tight third, before rebounding to lead the fourth wire to wire.
The match was played before a crowd of more than 200, with extra seating brought into the volleyball gym to accommodate them. They were treated to a high-flying show, with setter Melbe Perez doling out 41 assists while guiding the Vikings to a .409 attack.
Steven Rotter had 17 kills on .433 hitting backed up by 11 from Romi Pourrat and 10 from Victor Villareal, who hit .615.
LBCC will host Miramar Friday at 6 p.m.
