With a nine-game losing streak and a loss to Richmond earlier in the season, the Hercules boys’ volleyball team was definitely the underdog in Tuesday's matchup. However, the pure determination in the Hercules boys proved everyone wrong.
Junior Arik Tan rallied the Hercules Titans together with a season high 8 blocks in a single game, allowing the Titans passage to their first victory in nine games.
“The team comes in every week and puts in work, as do I,” Tan said, “With all the undeserving losses coming in, it fueled everyone on the team to push for the win.”
After the Titans breezed through the first set with a victory of 25-18, the Richmond Oilers answered back in the second set, dominating the Titans and winning the set 25-12.
With the third set on the way, the Titans seemed to be in shambles after the hard loss in the second set. However, senior Joshua Domingo seemed to change that with his presence on the court alone.
With Domingo in the lineup, the Titans were able to decimate the Oilers both offensively and defensively.
“I knew the team felt defeated after the loss in the second set,” Domingo said, “ I knew I had to spark something on the team and that’s exactly what I did.”
The Titans only allowed 14 points in the third set as the Oilers were continuously battered by the Titans’ fluid offense, giving the Titans a 25-14 victory.
With the Titans leading the match 2-1, the Oilers came into the fourth set with their backs against the walls, ready to fight. Nevertheless, with the look of determination in their eyes,the Titans were looking to close the game.
After the two teams battled constantly in the fourth set, the score was now 24-23 in the Titans’ favor. The gym was dead silent as everyone knew that the next point could end the game. With every player’s nerves pushed to their limit, the Oilers choked, committing a double hit while the ball was in their possession, ending the set and the game.
The Hercules Titans rejoiced as their nine game drought was put to an end. They proved to the league that they are a rising power as the TCAL championship comes closer.