5/25/2007

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Almost all Santa Barbara Volleyball Club teams played this weekend in their final Mandatory of the season. Next up is regional playoffs to end the regular season and gain final rankings in the SCVA.

All three 15's teams and 14-1's won their pools, going undefeated against the competition.

Coach Jake Hong's 15-1 team Beat Golden West 15-Nike, Impact 15-Bryan and Sports Shack 15-1 for a three-match sweep. Hong said his team played with passion throughout all three matches. Grace Connor came off a slight ankle injury and played great up front, and Jackie Harvey also played great in the front row with kills from the right side.

Greg Novak's 15-2 squad was also invincible and moved up to Division 2 as a result.

"I haven't seen the team play with so much confidence and consistency. We started each game with the momentum and never let go. Heidi Vandenoever's hitting was explosive, Jessie Ditmore and Christina Miller shut down our opponents' middle, Torrie Armstrong played well on the right side, and Katie Shara provided great passing in the back row," said Novak.

Courtney Preston's 15-3s moved up to Division 7 with three wins thanks to strong play from McKensey Smart, Hannah Warwick and Nikki Klobucher, while Liz Towne-Gilbert's 14-1s were perfect on the weekend with wins over X-14's, Club Jamba 14-Jodi and SoCal 14-Trestles. Towne-Gilbert cited Emma Campbell's digging and the hitting of Carly Wopat and Eve Ettinger.

Coach K.C. Collins noted that Kari Garcia was on fire while Mackenzie Boss set a smart game all day and Jillian McIntyre really stepped up her defense as libero as the team went 1-2.

Ed Gover's 13-1s went 2-1 due to solid play by Page Hawkins' serving and the passing of Anna Dwyer.

Erica Downing's 16-1 team went 1-2 and was hampered by numerous injuries.

"We had a total of five healthy girls. Those five worked very hard and those that were injured fought through the pain and finished the day for us strong," said the coach before specifically citing Hadley Simmons, Jen Waddill, Claire Woolf and Allie Cole by saying they "played like professionals."

And last but not least, Tim Voth's 16-2 team remained in Division 7 thanks to a 2-1.