Pierce Men Unable to Retain Title : Brahmas Squander Two-Game Lead in State Volleyball Final

The coup never materialized.

The Pierce College men’s volleyball team came within three points of a three-game sweep of heavily favored Orange Coast College in the state junior college championships Friday night, before surrendering three games to lose, 13-15, 12-15, 15-12, 15-11, 15-13.

The Brahmas led, 12-10, in the third game but relinquished the lead when they encountered difficulty at the service line.

“Realistically that third game was ours,” Pierce Coach Ken Stanley said. “We had them on the ropes and then we start to tippy-toe on our serves.”

The Pierce players weren’t alone--even Orange Coast captain Brian Lewis had trouble getting his serve over. Lewis bobbled an opportunity to close out the match with his team leading, 14-10, in the fifth game, when he planted a serve in the middle of the net.

“I was trying to rip it but it just didn’t work out,” said Lewis, who was named most valuable player of the South Coast Conference in 1987 and again this year.

Last season, Pierce defeated Long Beach to capture the state title.

Orange Coast, too, is accustomed to success.

The Pirates are the only team to have beaten the Brahmas this season. In the teams’ first meeting, Orange Coast won in five games. Three weeks ago at Orange Coast, Pierce, which finished second to the Pirates in the South Coast Conference, was unceremoniously swept.

“We really humbled them,” Orange Coast Coach Bob Wetzel said. “They were on the freeway pretty quick. They’re a better team now, though.”

A point evident from the outset.

Pierce took a 6-1 lead in the first game, but its advantage was short-lived. Behind four kills each by Scott Lindquist and Al Vistaunet, Orange Coast forged a tie, 9-9.

Rico Guimaraes of Pierce, who had a game-high eight kills, spiked three of the final five points. Orange Coast (20-1) was charged with consecutive net violations to end the game.

Turhan Douglas led the Brahmas in the second game, notching five kills and a service ace.

The Pirates (18-3) were error-prone throughout the game. In addition to committing 12 net violations, they missed on 14 serves, prompting Wetzel to slam his clipboard to the floor on several occasions.