For the second straight year, the SRJC volleyball team cruised to the CCCAA state championship game to face the L.A. Pierce College Brahmas and for the second straight year, SRJC lost. The Lady Bear Cubs entered as the second behind the Cabrillo College Seahawks, but SRJC was able to defeat the Seahawks during the third game of the state championship tournament.

The Lady Bear Cubs compiled an incredible overall record of 30-4 while going 14-1 in conference play. The squad also ends the season undefeated at home.

During the state championship tournament, SRJC played in four games in two days and lost two of those games to L.A. Pierce. On Dec. 3, the Lady Bear Cubs played their first game of the championship tournament when they lost to the Brahmas in five sets. Then 30 minutes later, SRJC defeated No. 1 seed Cabrillo in four sets.

The next day on Dec. 4, SRJC beat El Camino in five sets advancing to the state final against the Brahmas. Early that day L.A. Pierce defeated El Camino in five sets also.

Entering the state final, SRJC had just won a grueling five set game and the squad was just not ready for a rested L.A. Pierce squad. The Lady Bear Cubs who had 30 minutes to rest before the state championship lost to the Brahmas in three straight sets.

Because L.A. Pierce had won its previous matches, under the double elimination format, SRJC would have had to beat the Brahmas twice to earn a state title. Last year, the scenario was the same.

Sophomores Sam Siebert, Karimah Hay and freshman Olivia Urban all earned CCCAA All-Tournament team selections. Siebert and fellow sophomore Taylor Nelson also earned All-State team selections.

With many freshmen gaining experience from sophomores Siebert, Nelson and Hay along with a deep state title run, SRJC is aiming for another state championship appearance involving a different ending.