Pitman High volleyball squandered a 2-0 lead and lost a tough, five-set match to two-time defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 champion Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) in its own gymnasium last Thursday.

Two days later, the Pride were playing — and dominating — the Golden Valley (Merced) tournament.

And nobody was as dominant as senior middle blocker Madison Eissayou.

“We were very determined, and we wanted to get first place,” said Eissayou, who recorded 10 kills and four blocks in the non-conference loss to a Trojans squad that ended PHS’ section run in last year’s playoffs. “I would say the loss pumped us up more instead.”

Pitman posted a perfect 7-0 mark in beating Mariposa, Los Banos, Yosemite (Oakhurst), host GV, Ripon Christian, El Capitan (Merced) and St. Francis (Sacramento), the D-1 runner-up last year.

And the Pride did it without dropping a single set. During the tournament, Eissayou averaged seven kills and 1.5 blocks per match.

Pitman wrapped up non-conference play on Monday with a 3-1 win over Ripon Christian, in which Eissayou had 11 kills and six blocks. 

The Pride (21-2) will open Central California Athletic League action tonight at 6:30 when it hosts Gregori (5-12).

“My personal goals are just to keep improving and help my team out,” said Eissayou. “And I just want us to get closer and communicate more. That might be our biggest problem: communication. When we lose a couple of points, we tend to get quiet.”

Age: 17

Grade: Senior

Hobbies: “I like reading and hiking and playing with my cat.”

Pets: A cat named Mav. “He’s named after Maverick from ‘Top Gun.’”

Favorite class: AP Literature.

Favorite food: Sushi

Three songs on my playlist: “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers; “Diamond from Sierra Leone” by Kanye;  “Heartless” by Kanye.

“I can’t live without …” Money.

“In 10 years I will be …” Rich.