Sierra Hofstatter of Dos Pueblos puts up a perfect pass against Redondo Union in a second-round playoff match. (Vince Agapito photo)
It’s playoff time, and Amanda Moriarty is determined to do whatever it takes to help the Dos Pueblos girls volleyball team extend its season as long as possible.
She got the Chargers off to a good start on Thursday night. Moriarty had 17 kills, 2 aces, 2 blocks, and 4 digs in a 25-13, 26-24, 25-22 sweep over Redondo Union in the second round of the CIF Division 1-AA playoffs at Sovine Gym.
“We had to come out and play our game, come out with energy and work as a family,” said captain Moriarty. “We have to take that into our next game as well.”
Dos Pueblos plays San Clemente in the third round on Saturday at home at 7 p.m.
High energy filled the gym as DP and Redondo battled point for point. A kill by Taylor Racich and a block by Moriarty put the Chargers ahead 6-3. With a service run by Moriarty, the Chargers lead jumped to 13-6. At 20-10 Katie Spieler got up an amazing dig that Tristan Racich set off her knees to Moriarty in the back row for the kill.
In the second set, a kill bounced off the head of a Redondo player gave the Chargers the first point. Redondo fought back and held a 9-5 lead until a roll shot by Moriarty changed the momentum. Tristan Racich blocked a ball bring the Chargers to 9-7. A double-hit call against Redondo brought the Chargers to 20-19.
Sarah McKinny and Sierra Hofstatter put up a huge block at the net to tie the game 21-21. Moriarty blocked an overpass for 22-21 lead and Taylor Racich came from behind with a kill at 23-22. A block by Lina Kleinschmidt at 25-24 and a non-returned ball by Redondo gave Dos Pueblos the second set.
Game three began with a block from McKinny. At 8-8, a long rally ended when a Moriarty kill hit the 10-foot line. She went up big again, giving a Redondo player a facial at 13-13. The Chargers pulled ahead with an ace by Spieler followed by a kill from Taylor Racich at 21-16.
An ace and kill from Moriarty brought the Chargers to 24-22 and Kleinschmidt ended the game and match with an ace.
“We served tough tonight and they had trouble passing our serves. We went out and ripped it,” said coach Todd Garrett.
Kleinschmidt had 5 kills and 2 aces; Taylor Racich had 10 kills, 2 aces, and 7 digs; McKinny had 2 kills; Hofstatter had 4 kills and 9 digs. Spieler picked up 7 digs and Tristan Racich had 16 assists and Maddie Leiphardt 12 assists.
“As long as we stayed aggressive on the ball we terminated,” said coach Garrett.
