The Los Medanos College Mustangs volleyball team battled hard but came up short against Mendocino College, falling 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-20) on Oct. 29 at the LMC gym.
Despite the loss, the Mustangs showed fight throughout the match and are taking the season’s challenges in stride. Middle blocker Toni Camacho led the defense with three solo blocks, while outside hitter Fetuloa Te’O powered the offense with eight kills. Libero Himani Bakshi anchored the back row, finishing with 12 digs and 18 serve receptions.
Mendocino opened the first set strong, taking a 7-3 lead before LMC rallied to tie the game at 8 after an ace and a pair of thunderous blocks from Camacho. The comeback energized the Mustangs, but Mendocino’s Kayden Paullus answered with three consecutive aces, propelling the Eagles to a 25-14 win in the opener.
The second set saw Te’O and Camacho spark LMC early, but serve-receive struggles and errors allowed Mendocino to stay in control. Mya Williams served back-to-back aces to bring the Mustangs within reach, and Te’O’s kills kept the energy up, but Mendocino maintained their rhythm to take the set 25-17.
The third set was the most competitive, featuring long rallies and stronger communication from the Mustangs. Back-to-back kills from Gwen Loebs and Te’O tied the score at 10-10, and the team showed poise in extended points. However, a late surge by Mendocino closed out the match 25-20.
After the game, Camacho reflected on the team’s mindset during a tough season.
“We can still bounce back and prove that we are mentally strong,” she said. “Games like these — it builds character and it really shows how you can bounce back from your mistakes.”
Head coach Taylor Thompson, in her first year leading the program, said the team’s challenges often come down to confidence and composure.
“It’s really mental in my opinion,” Thompson said. “A lot of the time we make one mistake, and we don’t know how to come out of that to make the next ball better.”
With a roster made up entirely of freshmen — except for one returning player — Thompson emphasized that this year is about building a foundation for the future and working as a team to grow as a unit.
Williams echoed that message, saying the team’s growth comes from trust and togetherness.
“We’re learning how to play together, not just as individuals, since we’re all on the court together,” she said.
Following the home loss, LMC traveled to Napa Valley College on Oct. 31, where they again fell in straight sets. The defeats dropped the Mustangs to 1-22 overall and 0-9 in Bay Valley Conference play.
The Mustangs will look to finish strong when they return home to face Solano College on Nov. 7 at 6 p.m., aiming to end their season with a statement of perseverance and unity.
