College of Marin Beach Volleyball dropped a pair of matches to the Fresno City College Rams on Friday. While the weather was beautiful, the result was not as a pretty a picture for the Mariners who faced a very tough opponent. The undefeated Rams pressured the Mariners all day and did not drop a set in the 10 pairings across two full matches. Marin switched up some pairings after the first match which resulted in a more competitive second match.
The top pair of Sarah Harris and Alejandra Leon had a solid showing against Corippo and Emmerling of Fresno. After falling in the first set 21-11, Harris and Leon were very strong in the second set, challenging their opponents for every point. Though they fell 21-16, they put fear into Fresno and showed they could compete with any other team's top duo.
Twos Magnolia Johnson and Amber Proctor were solid, but could not overcome the efficiency of Castleman and Weedman in a 21-9, and 21-6 loss. The Fresno pair did not make many errors and took advantage of nearly every chance at points.
Nattasia Ferrin and Kirsta Rodriguez McKee were outmatched in their first match 21-4 and 21-7 against the Fresno threes. Khadeejia Marcum and Luisa Ayala battled in the fours slot but succumbed 21-11 and 21-6 while the final pairing had to wait for the second session to begin their five's match. Ashley Changthonthip and Mackenzie Graham improved throughout the day but did fall 21-10 and 21-10 against their opposite number from Fresno.
The second match began just minutes after the first ended and saw some new pairings.
Harris and Leon remained in the top slot and made it to double digits in both sets but were ultimately defeated 21-10 and 21-14.
Johnson and Rodriguez-McKee took to the sand together as the twos and very nearly came to taking the first set of their match. They kept it close the entire way and fell in the end 21-18. They ran out of gas in the second set 21-6 but showed great chemistry together throughout.
Proctor and Marcum paired up in the three slot and fell 21-9 and 21-6 while the fours sported a new pairing of Ferrin and Ayala who also dropped their match 21-9 and 21-6. Chanthongthip and Graham remained as the fives and battled but lost 21-6 and 21-8.
The Mariners have a weekend of recovery before they host Foothill and College of San Mateo on Wednesday, March 13th.
