1/13/2007

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Four girls teams from the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club won qualifier tournaments and two others were runners-up on the Southern California Volleyball Association first qualifier round for
14-Under and 15U last weekend in the Los Angeles area.

The club's 15-1 team, coached by Jake Hong, won three matches — all in straight games — to win its round at Long Beach State.
"The team played steady throughout the three matches," Hong said. "Sarah Mendoza played great defense and had multiple kills from the back row all day long."

The club's 15-2 club also went undefeated in three matches, also at Long Beach, and won by pulling out a come-from-behind win in the deciding match. "Flo Chardon's tough serving kept our opponents on their heels," coach Greg Novak said. "Watching the team cheer with their
victory was the best part of the win.”

On Sunday, the club's 14-1 team won three matches, all in straight games, at Cal State Dominquez Hills. "The entire team contributed to the success of the day," said coach Liz Towne-Gilbert. "Paige Craine had a solid all around day and the hitting of Samantha Wopat and Aly Squires was excellent."

Rounding out the first-place finishers was the 13-2 team, which won three matches Sunday at Cerritos College. "The girls played great as a team, winning some tight games," coach Tina Brown said. "Lina Kleinschmidt had some great blocks, while Katie Spieler controlled the back court with incredible passing and defense. Emma Craine and Laura Masho kept the tempo of
the game going with great sets.”

The 15-3 team, coached by Courtney Preston, went 1-1 in match play to place second on Saturday at El Camino College, and the 13-1 team, coached by Ed Gover, placed second, going 1-2, on Sunday at Long Beach. The 14-2 team, coached by K.C. Collins, placed fourth at East L.A. College.