Hillcrest’s Jansen pounds Rams in CIF loss

The Cate boys volleyball team couldn’t get past a one-dimensional Hillcrest Christian in the first round of the CIF playoffs on Friday, falling 25-21, 25-18, 25-21.

Joe Gottwald led the Rams with nine kills, seven digs and four aces and Ian Dron-Smith slammed home six kills. Max Davis recorded three kills and two blocks.

Hillcrest Christian relied heavily on 6’6” bigman Erik Jansen, who was responsible for most of the Saints’ offense.

“We were able to slow him down, but not quite enough,” said Cate head coach Dan Terry. “We stuck right in there, it was close the whole way.”

The Rams are graduating seven seniors from a squad that went 11-5 on the season and finished second in the Condor League. 

“Even though we lost (the seniors) played well and should be proud,” Terry added.