Warriors Head to State Finals After Sweeping Long Beach City 3-0

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. - With a stellar 3-0 sweep over Long Beach City College (16-4, 6-0) in the CCCAA State Semifinals, the No. 7 Warriors (12-7, 4-2) are headed to their 4th State Final. The Vikings were looking to defend their State Champion title, riding a 13-game winning streak but the Warriors upset Long Beach in three sets for the victory (26-24, 25-17, 25-19).

Both teams battled through the first set which saw the lead change twice and nine tie scores. Cesar Medina led the Warriors, tallying five kills in the set and would go on to earn a total of 17. Pedro Campos had nine assists in the set, helping Medina get the kill to put them one point away from the win. A ball handling error by Long Beach's Cyrus Fa'alogo gave the Warriors the point they need to win the set 26-24.

The Vikings had three chances to take the lead in the second set but the Warriors were on point once again, earning kill after kill. Victor Villarreal was an offensive and defensive force. He nailed a kill that put the Warriors 24-17 with the assist coming from Campos, who responded with a kill of his own for the set point.

El Camino entered the third set confidently. The Vikings were first to score but the Warriors took the lead from there and refused to give it up once again. The team worked together, unsettling the Vikings. PJ Tulikihihifo added four more kills in the third, totaling 12, and recorded four digs and two service aces. Villarreal finished the night with two block solos and four block assists. Christopher Phanngam was the leading Warrior in digs with five while Medina added two more in the third set for a total of four.

"The team played really well, this is the best game we have had all season. We all contributed and it was a team effort," commented Medina. "I'm really proud of the guys and glad to be back again."

The Warriors made an appearance in the finals in 2015 but were defeated by Santa Monica College (25-21, 22-25, 25-23, 25-19). Returning for the second time in a row is Orange Coast College (20-1), who lost the previous year to the Vikings. Orange Coast also had a 3-0 sweep over their opponent to place them opposite the Warriors on the court on Saturday. The finals are set to begin at 7 p.m. at Pierce College.