The Santa Barbara Volleyball Club’s 18-Smack team, competing among the top 16 teams of Southern California, made it to the semi-finals of the Division I bracket and placed third overall at the Mandatory #1 Tournament in San Diego last weekend.
After a disappointing loss to Rancho Valley in the first match of pool play, the team rallied back to defeat SCVC and Sunshine VC, taking first in the pool.
Moving into playoffs, the team beat Mizuno Long Beach in three games, 18-25, 25-19, 15-9. Next up was a loss to Sports Shack in the semi-finals, 25-19, 25-17.
“We had some very bright moments throughout the day. Things we have been focusing on are really starting to come around and it is exciting to watch. If we can continue to work hard and work together as a team, we are going to be very tough to beat,” said coach Todd Garrett.
Coach Angie Erdmann’s 17-Smack team won all of its matches in pool play, coming out with intensity and energy and maintaining it throughout the day.
Erdmann felt that all the girls played outstanding defense, rarely letting a ball drop.
“The team played like a team and served their competitors off the court,” remarked Erdmann.
She also mentioned that libero Lillie Hodges was a spark with her defense and serve receive, and that the team averaged about eight service aces per game while keeping errors to a minimum.
Caroline Colbert set the tone with a serving string in the match against SAMO 17 Asics Select and in the final match against Commerce Crush 18s. Karina Evans led the team with some incredible kills from the middle, while Laura Masho stepped it up with her defense and led the team in assists to win the final game 25-23.
The team will advance to Division 8 for the next tournament.
Despite only one loss, to San Gabriel Elite 18-Roshambo, and beating Golden West 18-Asics and Epic 17-1s early in pool play, the 18-White team entered into a 3-way tie, and by a point ratio tiebreaker ultimately placed third in pool play. This meant they would have to win the first playoff match to remain in Division III.
Unfortunately, they lost a close battle to Excel 17-1s 26-24, 25-19.
“It was a great tournament overall,” said coach Shalen Williams. “I believe we’ve finally found our groove as a team and we’re finally beginning to mesh.”
She also noted that Karissa Flack had a solid day, hitting over the block on many occasions. Jordan Roberts had a steady day on defense, and both setters Rose Lewis and Maggi Jo Keffury made excellent choices during the game.
The 12s and 15s teams competed in Anaheim for their first Mandatory of the season.
The 15-Smack team, coached by Dwayne Hauschild, went 1-2 in pool play of Division II, placing third by beating Laguna Beach 15-Carmen and losing to San Gabriel Elite 15-1 and T-Street 15-1.
Meanwhile, Coach John Sener’s 15-White team, also competing in Division II, went 0-3 losing to Vision Zone 15-Elite, Mavericks 15-1 and OCVBC 15-White.
These results pitted the two teams against each other in the first playoff round, where only the winner would remain in Division II. The 15-Smack team ultimately won and continued on through playoffs, beating 951 Elite 15-1 and Mizuno LB 15-Runbird.
“Strong late day rally by 15-Smack to solidify their seed in division II….with some great performances from Katherine Crook, Katie Spieler and Madi Simon,“ said Hauschild.
Coach Sener said his team “had an enormous learning experience” and that the team “played probably their best match of the season against the Santa Barbara 15-Smack.”
Coach Sener also cited exceptional play from Emily Lunt and Savanah Tartler.
“They showed some incredible skills both defensively and offensively during the final match,” he said.
The 15 Red team had a good day, taking 2nd in Division VI pool play. The team beat Starlings Ridgecrest 15s 25-15, 12-25, 15-6 to start the day. Then they lost a close one to SurfCity 15-Diana 25-23, 15-25, 15-13, but finished by beating Golden West 15-Black 25-12, 25-21.
“Seeded fourth in our pool and taking second place really shows how much we have been improving,” said Coach Mickey Caughey. “Once again our strength as a team was our serving with Kirsten Brown and Grace Halleck both recording nine aces apiece. We also made a big improvement in our hitting as a team. Marina Boulanger had a great day offensively and was especially adept at consistently hitting down the line.”
The team will remain in Division VI for its next tournament.
The 12-Smack team had some long battles to start the day. Their first match against Seal Beach 12-Jackie went to three games (25-19, 21-25,15-11) as well as the second against Tustin VBC 12-Alice (25-14, 21-25, 15-3). The third match against SurfCity 12-Jauna was lost in two games (25-18, 25-18).
Coach Cary Whittaker mentioned that it was a learning experience for her young team.
“Even though the end result wasn’t us winning, the players learned a lot and many players proved to be standouts. Phoebe Madsen especially stepped up leading the team as a setter and Kristina Garcia had some big swings and kills,” she said.
The team will move to Division VI for its next tournament.
