The Santa Barbara Volleyball Club will be sending two more teams to the Junior Nationals this summer.
The club’s 18-Smack and 17-Smack teams received region bids for the American Division. The teams were awarded bids because they are ranked among the top15-20 teams in their age divisons. They play in the same division in the SCVA, but will be entered in separate age divisions at the nationals.
The teams will be joining the 14-Smack squad in Atlanta.
The 18s and 17s played this past weekend in their last regular season tournament of the SCVA and the results counted toward these region bids.
The 18-Smack, playing in Division 2, went 1-2 to place third in its pool, but then won the next three playoff matches to earn more than enough points to put them in contention for the region bid.
Coach Jason Donnelly: “Anytime you find your team in a position to earn a regional bid to the Junior Nationals, playing in the toughest region in the country, you have to be pleased. While this team is still a work in progress, we expect nothing less than going to Atlanta with the intention of bringing home a gold medal. Our preparation over the next two months will help us reach that goal.”
The 17-Smack, competing in Division 3, also finished third in its pool, and won the next playoff match to likewise earn enough points to keep them in contention for the region bid.
“Getting the region bid to Junior Nationals allows the team to achieve both of the goals we had set this season … get to Atlanta and be in the top 25% of the SCVA,” coach Dwayne Hauschild said. “It’s going to be competitive and a very good experience for the girls. I am very proud of the team.”
Also competing this past weekend, the 18-Blue team lost three matches in pool play to finish fourth for the day. According to coach Jacky Yao, “The team started to get into a groove after our second match, but unfortunately, we made just enough errors to not quite give ourselves the chance to win. Madelon Leiphardt and Megan Leiphardt, after only practicing with our team for two weeks, made huge contributions and proved that they will be key as we prepare for post season play. We also have one of our main hitters coming back from injury, and I am excited and looking forward as we tune up for regionals and the Volleyball Festival.”
In the 14s division, the 13-Smack team won all of their matches to place first in their pool and move up to Division 6. The team beat Westlake 14s and Calif Blue 14s in two games and upset the first seed in their pool, winning 25-23, 24-26, 15-12.
“Emily Lafitte played a huge role in the back court with her serving and passing,” said coach Ed Gover. “Setters Phoebe Madsen and Allie Sundara both had an excellent all around day, while Lourda Weger, Kristina Garcia and Chloe Allen had an especially strong day with hitting. It was a day of solid wins.”
The 13-Blue team also swept its pool 3-0 and placed first to advance again up to Division 11.
“Each and every girl on the team shined as we went undefeated this weekend, beating Solana Beach 13-Sarah, TCA HB 14-Blue, and Coast VBC 13-R2 Troy in three thrilling matches,” said coach Malinda Reese. “We played better than we have ever played before, with Ella Deardorff getting the exciting final kill to win our last match of the day.”
In Division 1, the 14-Smack team won its pool by beating 951 Elite 14s and Wave 13s in two, and edging out Jamba 14-Jodi 16-25, 25-22, 16-14.
In the first round of playoffs, the team fell to Coast 14-Luis in two games to place fifth for the day.
“We started a bit flat the first game and lost,” said coach K.C. Collins. “But the second game the team rallied, and even though we lost a close game, we made some great plays, especially Dane Miller who stepped up her defense leading in digs for the match. She was all over the court and she made four spectacular digs in one rally.”
The 14-Blue team in Division 5, lost the matches in pool to place fourth for the day.
“The gym floor created lots of static and the girls had fun shocking each other and me all day long. Unfortunately, we couldn’t create any sparks in our game …the team played tough but couldn’t quite get into our normal rhythm,” said coach Kim Buktenica. “Erin Linehan played great all day long, staying very consistent in all games. She got many kills for us and played some great defense. Hannah Craig also played some great defense and got many solid hits throughout the day.”
In the 16s division, the 16-Smack had a good run in its first competition in Division 2.
“Our performance was stellar at times but our occasional offensive breakdown allowed our opponents to have the upper hand in close matches. Consistency is the key against the upper division teams,” said coach Greg Novak.
A three-way tie in pool play placed the team in the lower playoff bracket. The team needed to win the next playoff match to stay in Division 2.
“The team stepped it up in high gear and toppled our opponent,” Novak continued. “Frankie Lewis had a great day hitting from the left and right side while Emily Lunt and Emma Mascari created point-scoring opportunities with tough serving.”
The team remains in Division 2 for the next tournament.
The 16-Blue team placed second with a 2-1 record in its pool and will remain in Division 6 for the next tournament.
