1/6/2007

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
The Santa Barbara Volleyball Club's 16U, 17U and 18U teams kicked off their 2007 season with tournament play in Los Angeles last weekend.

Two 16U teams from the club finished first and second in match play at different sites, with one team going 2-1 and the other 3-0. The first team, finishing second at Gahr High School "played well as a team," coach Erica Menzel Downing said. ". . . We are strong and have the ability to play at a high level."

The team finishing first, at Cerritos College, "served tough and didn't give up many points in a row . . . This was a full-team effort," according to coach Tim Voth.

The 17U team went 0-3 in matches to finish fourth at CSU-Dominguez Hills. "The team played great team defense throughout the day. Maria Mayer did a great job playing on the right side, hitting well all day long," said coach Jake Hong.

The 18U team went 1-2 to finish third at CSU Fullerton. "I was impressed with the overall play of Sarah Risser and Eva Gabrielsen," coach Jason Donnelly said.

Teams go through three qualifying rounds over the next month to be placed in divisions, followed by five more tournaments over six months with top teams vying for spots in the Junior Olympics in July.