Currently ranked seventh in the Southern California Volleyball Association, the 18-Smack competed in the Gold bracket among the top 32 teams in SoCal. The team went 5-1 in pool play Saturday and Sunday and later went on to win the tournament. The 18-Smack team beat Mizuno LB 17-Rockstar in the quarters-finals, Sport Shack 18-1’s in the semi-finals and Rancho Valley 18-Danny in the finals.
After dropping a match the first day in pool play to Rancho Valley 18-Danny, the team stepped up its intensity and played aggressive volleyball to reach its successful outcome. Coach Lee Nelson was very pleased with his team commenting on how the team performed very well this past weekend.
“Our entire squad contributed with our players consistently competing at a level we hadn’t reached before,” Nelson said.
“Outside hitter Emily Rottman fought through an injury to help keep our passing steady while Katherine Keller played some phenomenal defense, especially against a very hard hitting Sport’s Shack 18-1 team. We mixed up our setting most of the tournament with Sammie Brown and Paige Crane, who both ran our offense very efficiently and effectively. Opposite Taylor Racich attacked as well as I have seen her on the right side. She also got into a great serving rhythm that caused a number of our opponents many problems. Middle hitter Carly Wopat consistently drew a two, and at times, a three person block in the middle, while Samantha Wopat attacked on the left side very effectively, especially at crunch time when we needed a big swing. Aly Squires has made some very big strides in her blocking in the middle and, throughout the tournament, attacked at an extremely high level of effectiveness with very few errors. Opposite Amy Lanski has settled into being a very solid player for us and had a number of solid blocks while attacking with a stepped up level of aggressiveness. Outside hitter Eve Ettinger had a solid weekend and attacked very well for us on the left side, while defensive specialist Sarah Mendoza helped to stabilize our passing when we needed it and played some excellent defense,” recapped Nelson.
After earning a berth into the elite Open Division by winning the SCVA Junior National Qualifier back in April of this year, The 18-Smack team will next compete at Junior Nationals in Reno, Nevada at the end of this month.
The 18-White entered the Silver bracket with only nine players and battled some tough competition ending the tournament with a 2-5 record. Despite the record, the team played hard, and great performances were made by all the players according to coach Shalen Williams.
“Kelcey Chaffin has been very aggressive in the middle, working the angle shot on the slide and picking up a lot of balls that roll over the tape. Hannah Hill and Jordan Roberts were key to our defensive game all weekend. Sophomore Anna Dwyer has shown great maturity as the youngest on our team, being able to focus on and play any defense role I ask of her. Karrisa Flack was our go to hitter, she was money every time she was set and she kept us in a lot of games this weekend. Maggi Jo Keffury pushed hard all weekend long, she ran down every ball to make a great set and made it look effortless. Rose Lewis set the middle hitters exactly where they needed it and her defense was very impressive. Jessie Ditmore was solid on the outside, and we had great serve receive out of her. Heidi Vandenoever, playing her last club tournament of the season before moving on to Westmont College , consistently banged the quick set from the right side,” recapped Williams.
Jackie Harvey, who will be heading off to University of Puget Sound, and Malina Keaton, who will be attending Cal Lutheran, were unable to participate in this final tourney due to injuries. The 18-White will be finishing up its season competing at the Volleyball Festival in Phoenix, Arizona at the end of June.
The 17-Smack team had a great Regionals tournament, competing in the Bronze bracket of the 18’s division. The team steamrolled through six teams in a row over the weekend, playing strong volleyball and keeping errors to a minimum. By winning 12 straight set victories, the team earned first place in its pool both Saturday and Sunday.
“It was through solid passing and serving that allowed the middles to dominate at the net, our quick hits were unstoppable to the teams we played,” commented coach Angie Erdmann.
Erdmann praised the play of Libero Lillie Hodges, who “passed nails for the team” all weekend. The solid defense allowed middles Karina Evans and Bianca Castro to light up the court at net, hitting and blocking well.
It was senior Karina Evans’ last tournament of her club career before she heads to the University of Delaware. “[Evans] jumped served aces, pounded balls on the ten foot line and blocked ball after ball. With the middles creating holes in the blocks, both Morgan Riegert and Rachel Szeyller tallied up a fair share of kills to seal off the wins. Katie Shea, who was only with the team on Saturday, mixed up her shots and played well all-around from the outside. Setter Tristan Racich led in assists for the weekend and sparked the court with solid hitting from the opposite. Arika Johnson was a key player on both the opposite and in the middle, not only ripping the ball from the front row but also posting up her fair share of blocks. Also on the opposite, Katie Schuster tallied kills and numerous blocks when she stepped on the floor. Laura Masho played phenomenal defense and also added many assists when setting. Caroline Colbert’s defense and passing have improved tremendously, and she was a crucial asset for us in the backrow, while also serving strong,” commented Erdmann.
Unfortunately, the winning streak ended in a one game to 25 quarter-final playoff loss to Epic 17s with a heartbreaker score of 25-23.
“This is one of the most positive, energetic teams I have worked with…they have great chemistry on and off the court and they never give up,” Said Erdmann.
The 17-Smack team will also be finishing up its season competing at the Volleyball Festival in Phoenix at the end of June.
SBVC 18-Smack
