Energy was high on the Tigers’ side as they controlled the Wildcats for three straight sets, livened by an aggressive offense. While the Wildcats attempted several times at turning the tides on them, the Tigers held the lead through boundless tenacity paired with an offensive executed with surgical precision.

Story by Gavin Bartolome
Sports Editor

Photo by Helena Easterby
Photography Editor

On Friday, March 18, the Tigers took home their third win of the season against the Monrovia Wildcats, winning the match in three consecutive sets. While the Wildcats attempted several times at turning the tides on them, the Tigers held the lead through boundless tenacity paired with an offensive executed with surgical precision.

“I wouldn’t say worried, but [the team] did get a little complacent when they were serving,” head coach Carlos Rivera said. “So I started to give more locations to players. Being a coach and seeing the game better on the sideline, I looked for opportunities for the players, and saw who was struggling and what was doing well, and they targeted their spots.”

The Tigers jumped into the first set with a lead of 7–4, marked by aggressive hits and a few tips that caught the Wildcats off guard. Backed by an impenetrable defense, including junior opposite hitter Liam Johnson’s monster blocks, the Tigers clearly held control over the Wildcats, who left most of their starters on the sidelines. The Wildcats hung on through deep hits to the Tigers’ corner, bringing the score to a tie almost halfway through the first set at 10–10. 

In the end, it was a powerful attack to the back end by junior Angelos Skandallis to break free of the Wildcats. From there, the Tigers’ playstyle quickly began to outpace Monrovia’s, growing with the fans’ energy. The score went from 15–10 to 20–15 in a flash, with no resistance met from their opponents. While Monrovia won back a few points, South Pasadena took the first set, ending with a final score of 25–17 marked by a monster by senior Joey Carney.

Monrovia came onto the court with new faces after bringing their main players off the benches and onto the court, and it showed. Continuous net-touches and smashes made the second set the most competitive out of the match’s three. Monrovia’s improved serve reception, a weak point in the first set, contributed greatly to their sudden tenacity, allowing them to play the long-game and wear down the Tigers for any openings marked by poorly executed scramble plays. Despite continuous pressure from the Tigers, the Wildcats actually held onto the lead late into the set, winning 22–20. 

In the end, Carney was the hero of the set, leading the team’s charge after Monrovia served outside, sending a shut-out serve to Monrovia’s libero, snapping the team awake. While the Wildcats called a timeout, the damage was done, and the Tigers were back on their feet. One powerful cutting smash by junior Luke Liu and a final jump-serve by Carney knocked the Wildcats off their feet and put the Tigers in a powerful 2–0 match lead after stealing the second set 25–22.  

The third set commenced with gloomy expressions on Monrovia players’ faces, made apparent by the contrasting abundance of energy radiating from the stands and players from South Pasadena. Yet, while the Tigers continued to pile their attacks onto the Wildcats, led by Liu’s numerous ground-breaking kills from across the court, the Wildcats managed to keep the game at a close tie for more than half of the set. The score rose from 4–4 all the way to 15–15 as both teams fought tirelessly for control of the ball. 

Sophomore setter Ryan Chi’s ace bumped the score up to 16–15 and marked the Tigers’ final push. Supported by a variety of attacks and tips, the Tigers forced scramble plays by the Wildcats and punished their apparent gaps, forcing the game’s pace to ramp up and making more of the Wildcats’ sets and touches fly out of the court. Marked by notable plays, including Skandallis’s monster and a punishing straight smash by Carney, the Tigers’ aggressive drive left the Wildcats dazed for the rest of the game. With a stunning ace by Carney, the Tigers claimed the set 25–18, sweeping the Wildcats 3–0 in an outstanding game.

“Monrovia was a really good team … they almost beat us last year. So we’re now 3–0 in league so hopefully … we can carry this on in the Rio Hondo and compete with harder teams,” Chi said.

The Tigers’ next game will be on Saturday, March 21 at 8 a.m. in the Santa Barbara Varsity Tournament.