SAN MARCOS — Comet beach volleyball duo Emma Bambe and Reese Maffitt are heading to El Camino College on May 1, to compete for the state championship.
Despite being knocked out of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) championships at MiraCosta on April 17, Maffitt and Bambe still managed to qualify for the state individual tournament.
With eight teams remaining in the PCAC tournament the duo was knocked out in their first match against the MiraCosta Spartans in a 2-0 defeat. They were the only pair from Palomar to advance into the second day of the conference tournament.
Still, the rest of the beach volleyball team showed up to cheer on the duo from the sidelines.
The most formidable opponents of the championship matches were the MiraCosta Spartans, with three of the top-eight squads coming from their school.
Bambe and Maffit started off the first set strong as they built a small lead against one of the Spartan squad’s duos. Later in the match, MiraCosta regrouped after a time-out and pulled away with a win in the second-half of the match.
The Spartans played hard for the advantage at the beginning of Set 2, but Bambe and Maffit managed to hold control over the net.
After a series of decisive plays, the Spartans managed to carve out a comfortable lead and won the fierce match, ending Bambe and Maffitt’s run in the tournament.
Despite the loss, the Comets came out of it with a positive opinion about the match. “We played really hard, the other team just had some smart plays,” Maffit said.
Both Bambe and Maffit expressed gratitude for their teammates after coming off the sand. “I’m very thankful to have a support team, they all have your back, and it’s a nice release whenever they cheer,” Bambe said.
The top-eight pairs that played in the PCAC championship automatically qualified for the regional playoffs at El Camino College on May 1. This gives Bambe and Maffitt one last exhibition together, as Bambe plans to attend Vanguard University after graduating from Palomar College.
Head Coach Karl Seiler commented on how the duo have improved in both their individual skill and teamwork over their season together. “Emma and Reese have come a really long way in both their understanding of the game and the development of their partnership,” Seiler said.
Seiler also reflected on how Bambe has helped her freshman teammate take her skills to the next level.
“Emma brings a great deal of experience from last season, finishing eighth in the state with her partner. She has done a very good job of helping Reese elevate not only her play but her confidence in competing at this level,” Seiler said.
Maffitt and Bambe will play against a Long Beach duo at El Camino College on May 1. If they win their match, they will qualify for the state playoffs on May 2.
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