14-Blue stays on top, 14-White goes unbeaten

Having moved back up in Division 1 the previous tournament, the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club’s 14-Blue team came out strong last Saturday, winning their first two matches solidly against Vision Zone and Temecula Valley.  Although the team lost the final pool match to Sunshine Platinum and then lost the first playoff match to Laguna Beach 14-MS, the 2nd place finish in pool was enough for the team to remain in Division 1 and play among top competition in the final Regionals tournament in June.  

Coach KC Collins lauded the team’s overall play. 

“The team is really coming together, communicating and working well with each other on the court. Each player is improving in their positions and we are starting to look like well-oiled machine with its parts working in symmetry together,” she said.

The 14-White posted a 3-0 mark for the day without losing a single set. Coach Conner Hastings gave his input on the team’s performance: 

“This comprehensive brilliance came in the face of a number of unknown illnesses swirling through the team’s ranks like wildfire, creating a general state of apprehension that could only be calmed by the copious amounts of hand sanitizer provided by Team Mom Cindy Cattaneo. The first to fall victim was libero Mia Cattaneo, but Grace Halleck gamely shouldered the passing load for the entire day, being called upon to replace her queasy compatriot just seconds before the first match. Setter Emily Lunt was pumping sets to the middles like a Palm Springs resident doggedly inserting quarters into a slot machine, and Tala Hishmeh and Sammi Rhine provided enough paydays to break even. Rose ‘The Courtly Cobra’ Huizenga made her debut at outside hitter and provided some serious pop, while ‘The Italian Cannon’, Hannah Raphael, was firing away from the right side at a very efficient clip.  Carly Lawrence had a record serving run in the final game of the last match, a streak which lasted so long she may or may not have consciously decided to miss her 15th serve out of pity for the helpless passers across the net.”

Ed Gover’s 13-Blue squad got third for the day in their pool in Division 4.

The 13-White placed third in its pool, while dealing with some tough calls and close games. The team lost their first two matches, but was able to keep their cool and come back to win the last match of the day.  

“The team collectively made excellent decisions on the court and everyone wanted a piece of the action. Brenna Geiger showed that not only is she an amazing passer back row, but she can also bust out some amazing back row attacks,” said coach Jessie Fahey. “Clara Madsen’s setting was on point and she never let a ball drop. Sophia Lugo was a huge presence in the back row, and her improvement on defense was obvious. Our outside and middle hitters also effectively adjusted their attacks to trick every opponent.”

On Sunday, Jake Hong’s 16-Blue team went 2-1 in pool play to get first in its pool. The team then lost its first playoff match to Club West in three close games. Hong said, “With only 8 players able to make it down to the tournament this weekend, everybody had to play a critical role in our success throughout the day. Katie Villanueva had a great offensive day in the middle, while middle Amy Lanski also had a great day with her tough serving and offensive swings in the front row.” 

The team remains in Division 1.

The 16-White team, coached by Kayce Matthess and Jamie Garbisch, unfortunately moved down to Division 4 based on their pool play finish and losing the first round of playoffs. Matthess stated that they were missing their starting middle blocker, pointing out that Morgan Riegert filled in at the middle and did an excellent job. Matthess also went on to say that Lauren Capritto had strong passing all day and setter Caitlin Sullivan did a great job of setting all her hitters throughout the day.

Katherine Hopkins’ 16-Red team went 1-2 in three very close matches on the day.

“Individually, Leanna Montelone set very well on the day, making good offensive decisions, while Bella Weston-Smith was an aggressive force at the net, wanting to hit every ball,” said Hopkins. “Victoria Chandler and Josie Ford led the defense and passing consistently all day. Unfortunately, we just could not pull together a few more wins as a team.”