The Falcons’ volleyball team stayed close to Long Beach City, but it was the Vikings, ranked second in the state, who prevailed three games to none Friday at Long Beach.

The first game was evenly matched with several side outs, until the Vikings (5-1, 3-0 in SCC) scored six of the final seven points to win, 30-23.

Game two was also close, with Cerritos taking a 9-6 lead on a kill by middle blocker Tiffany Amete.

But Long Beach reeled off six straight points, two of them on kills by outside hitter Monica Schirmer, and would pull away for a 30-21 win.

The Falcons ran out to a 7-3 lead in the third game, with Amete scoring aces on consecutive serves.

Cerritos took a 15-13 lead on Viking errors.

That would be the Falcons’ last lead of the night as Long Beach went on an 11-3 run.

The Falcons hung tough, cutting the Viking lead to only three points twice, at 27-24 and 29-26.

But Long Beach scored match point, 30-26, for the sweep.

Middle blocker Vanessa Cid said the Falcons (3-2, 1-2 in SCC) played hard, but “We need to pick it up from the beginning.

“We’ll get them next time.”

Setter Berlin Mika said that the team was lacking in its passes and service. “We all played hard.”

She added that the Falcons, in order to get ready for their next match, have to practice hard.

“Practice makes perfect.”