The light at the end of the tunnel seems to be getting further away from the Santa Monica College's men's volleyball team.
The Corsairs lost three sets to none against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Wednesday night.
They followed it up with another defeat against Moorpark College on Friday.
SMC has had a problem with closing out sets all season, and it was more of the same against Santa Barbara.
"It has happened quite a bit this year where we have started strong, we have been ahead, and kind of let a team slowly creep back," head coach John Mayer said after the game. "We have not been able to figure it out."
The second set was most indicative of the Corsairs' struggles, as they gave up a 13-2 run after being ahead 16-11, and eventually lost the set, 25-21.
The Corsairs were within striking distance throughout the first set, and were even tied with the Vaqueros at 16, but fell short at the end.
In the third set, SMC and Santa Barbara were tied at 22, but the Corsairs gave up a 3-1 run, icing the set and the match.
SMC opposite hitter Charlie Schmittdiel felt that a lack of focus for the entire sets is the reason for the losing streak.
"We get to a certain high number, like, maybe 16, and we kind of lose focus in the game, and we want that win, and we think we'll get the win just by coasting," said Schmittdiel, who had a team high of 10 kills.
Mayer said that the losses have come from making too many serving and hitting errors.
The recent tough stretch has made Schmittdiel and the Corsairs hungry for a win.
"I have a bunch of guys coming up to me saying we can't be doing this," Schmittdiel said. "I want revenge on everybody in the conference."
Wednesday's loss dropped SMC's record this season to 3-8. They are also 0-4 in their conference.
Mayer said the team's confidence is low, but believes that one win can get the team moving in a positive direction.
"If we break through in one, I think it will make a big impact on our guys and we can build off that," Mayer said. "So hopefully we can break through the next one."
Vaqueros middle hitter Aquiles Montoya and opposite hitter Dakota Smith led their team with eight kills apiece.