In Anaheim this past weekend, the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club’s 16-Blue team won its pool and all its playoff matches to get back into Division 1. Coach Jake Hong gave accolades to his team for working hard and playing well to reach their goal of getting back into the top division after dropping down to Division 2 in its last mandatory. The 16-Blue will be competing for a Junior Olympics bid in Reno this weekend at the Far Western Junior Olympic Qualifier.
The 16- White team also took first for the day.
“After not being able to really catch our stride and dropping two matches in pool play, we were able to win one match to give us a three way tie for second place. We then won the quarter-final playoff match to move back up to division 2!” explained Coach Kayce Matthess.
“It was a team effort with great decision making by our setter Caitlin Sullivan, and excellent leadership and hitting by Morgan Riegert. Katie Schuster was able to take over offensively while Karina Evans’ dominating play from the JO Qualifier continued into this day with some great blocking and attacking.”
The 16-Red team went 1-2 finishing, 3rd in the pool. Coach Kat Hopkins shared her thoughts on the day, saying “We were playing without 2 players due to illness and injury and really fought as a team, but just lacked the overall consistency in each match to put together more than 1 win. Josie Ford’s passing was solid all day, while Arabella Westin-Smith was aggressive attacking at the net.”
The 14-Blue team battled in Division 2 of their age division. The team tied for third for the day which was enough to reclaim their spot back into Division 1.
“Mady Simon had a great day in the middle, earning the team points with kills and blocks. On the outside, Colleen O’Conner stepped it up as a hitter and was error free offensively while Sierra Hofstatter was an unstoppable kill leader for the day. Katherine Crook provided steady all around great play both offensively and defensively, and especially great leadership on the court,” mentioned Coach K.C. Collins.
At picturesque El Camino College on a scorching hot day in Torrance, the 14-White team could not sustain the steady play it had achieved at the previous JO Qualifier tournament. The team dropped three matches to finish the day 0-3. When asked from reporters how he felt about the day, Coach Matt Schroeder responded with a “no comment” and was seen exiting the gym in a flurry of frustration.
The 13 Blue team entered into a three way tie for first after going 2-1 for the day in pool, and placed 2nd. Coach Ed Gover lauded his team for playing well. “It was a total team effort. Holly Blair’s serving was key in the win over the number one seed in our pool. And we had excellent defense by Evanne Jimenez with steady setting and back row attacking by Sarah Scarminach and Teah Burdick.”
The 13 white struggled with the first two matches in their pool.
“But their true colors came out in the last match, and we were reminded of how talented we really are,” Coach Jessie Fahey said. “Clara Madsen was a standout in adjusting her defensive play to fit each team’s attack. Brenna Geiger held it together in the back row, constantly providing the passes needed to change our momentum in the games. Caty LaFitte brought out her confidence and aggressiveness for the last match, playing her best game yet. The girls found out what it’s like to hit a slump, and most importantly learned how to come out of it.”
