It’s qualifying time for the teams of the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club.
The girls teams started their series of three qualifying rounds of the Southern California Volleyball Association last week. The qualifiers determine their starting divisions and ranking for the regular club season.
Competing in the Gold Bracket of the 16s division, both the 16-Smack and 16-Blue teams went 1-2 in matches and placing third overall for the day.
The 16-Smack team, led by Greg Novak and assisted by Vanassa Hamra, started the day with a close win in three games over T-Street 16-Blue, winning the third game 15-13. Unfortunately, the next match was close going 3 games as well, but the 16-Smack lost in the deciding game 16-14 to Power Play 16s. The team then lost in two games to Jamba 16-Parker.
“Even though we experienced two losses, we gained a lot of good experience and ideas for our offensive line up,” Coach Novak commented. “We practiced our serving and defensive skills and it paid off for the middles, Sammie Rhine and Savannah Tartler, who seemed to pull out the tough serves when needed.”
“For our first qualifier we played well, and competed against some good teams, like the No.1-ranked team!,” said coach and former San Marcos star Lauren Rinderknecht of her 16-Blue team. “Overall, I was impressed with the girls’ effort and ability to adjust, while a few girls played different positions.”
The 16-Blue team, which is also assisted by Adam Frank, lost in two games to No. 1 Wave 16-Jeanne, and a strong 900 Sqft 16-Lance. The team was shut out in the first game by Reef 16-Brock, but according to Coach Rinderknecht, “came back in games 2 and 3 with a lot of energy and competitive effort!”
The team won the match in three games, winning the third game 15-13.
Rinderknecht added, “We won by swinging aggressively and playing good disciplined defense. I’d like to note Grace Halleck who passed well all day, and for her aggressive defense, and Marley Miller for stepping into the setting position for games 2 and 3 vs. Reef.”
Both teams will now play in qualifying round 2, both competing to stay in the Gold bracket of their age division.
