By Selby Lopez/reporter
The Ball Busters won the NE volleyball tournament Oct. 17, going undefeated.
The Ball Busters defeated their first opponent, the Doritos, playing to the best out of three games.
The Ball Busters swept both games 25-10 and 25-13.
Although the scores do not indicate it, both games were competitive. There were plenty of long rallies between both teams as many times the Doritos were just one dive away from keeping the ball alive.
Exequiel Espejo performed well for the Doritos, playing as the primary net defender blocking four spikes for his team.
Although he played only two games, Espejo definitely had the play of the day. As the ball ricocheted off one of his teammates, Espejo tried turning to hit the ball as it was heading toward his back. Since he could not spin around quickly enough, he used his elbow to somehow hit the ball over the net and score a point for his team.
“The ball just came at me all of a sudden, and I just reacted,” he said.
After defeating the Doritos, the Ball Busters faced the Face Stampers in the best-of-three championship series. The Ball Busters won both games 25-15 and 25-17.
Lina Mino of the Ball Busters cited communication as the key to her team’s success.
“Communication, for sure, and also getting to know the strengths and weaknesses of the other players,” she said.
Although the Ball Busters were the winners of the tournament, many of the players enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the volleyball tournament.
“I was very happy the NHPE staff could provide the recreational hours for us to play in the gym,” Kathy Rodriguez said.
Neal Dao, member of the Face Stampers, and also the one who started the volleyball club, felt the same way. He would also encourage more players to participate in the future.
“When I got here three years ago, there wasn’t even a volleyball program,” Dao said. “Now we have 72 members.”
Dao encourages students to look for his fliers around the NE Campus and to join the volleyball club.
