7/13/2007

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Six teams from the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club traveled to the Junior Olympics in Minnesota and the Volleyball Festival in Reno, Nevada.

The best finishes at the Junior Olympics were fifth-places by the 15-1 team and the 14-1 squad.

Jake Hong's 15-1 team went 8-1 in the tournament, losing only to Tampa Bay Black in the quarterfinals of the National Division.

Michelle Cuttrell and Katherine Keller received all-tournament honors.

"All the girls played a role in our success during this tournament," said Hong.

Liz Towne-Gilbert's 14-1 squad posted a 7-2 overall record, including a win over nemesis Laguna Beach. Santa Barbara lost to eventual champion Asics KIVA 14 Red in pool play and Encinitas in the quarterfinals of the National Division.

Setter Paige Craine suffered a broken nose from a collision with another player.

The 18-1 team of Jason Donnelly finished 13th in the American Division. The team went 6-3 overall.

Ed Gover's 13-1 squad went 4-3 and placed 25th overall in the National Division.

At the five-day Volleyball Festival in Reno, the 16-1 team of Erica Downing placed 14th out of 188 teams, while the 15-2 squad of Greg Novak finished 35th out of 112 teams.

In other news, Eve Ettinger, and Samantha and Carly Wopat, of the 14-1 team, were selected for the USAV High Performance Select A1 team, and will be leaving next week to practice and compete in Florida.

Additionally, also from the 14-1 team Aly Squires was selected for the USA Select A2 team, while Paige Craine and Cheyenne Godinez were selected for the USA Select Developmental team.