Erika Foreman goes up for a spike for the SBVC’s 13-Blue team as Taylor Robertson covers.
Ed Gover’s Santa Barbara Volleyball Club 13-Blue team staged an amazing comeback in a showdown match for first place in pool play and moved up to Division 4 in Southern California Volleyball Association competition last Sunday.
Down by deficits of 11-1, 19-8 and 24-18 in the first set against Prime 14-Asics, the 13-Blues stormed back to win 26-24. Taylor Robertson, showing no fear at the service line, reeled off eight straight points for the victory. The team won the second set 25-12 to gain first-place tied in the pool. Santa Barbara was declared the winner on a point-ratio tiebreaker. The team split two earlier three-set matches.
“Keara Rutz was setting great all day, while Erika Foreman’s was our kill leader,” Gover said. “We had strong serving from Ally Mintzer, great blocking by Chloe Mauceri and Kristine Fimlaid, and Devan Randolph did excellent in the libero position.”
The 14-Blue team, competing in Division 2, came up just short of moving into Division 1. The team finished 2-1 in pool play, quickly dispensing of Surfside 13-1 and Wave 14-Jessica in two sets, before losing to Long Beach 15-Rockstar in a 3-set battle, 25-23, 23-25, 15-7.
The team moved on to a heated playoff match and lost a close one to Mavericks, 13-25, 25-13, 15-13.
“We played very well all day,’ coach K.C. Collins said. “Long Beach snuck up on us in the third set with excellent digging at the end, and despite our equally great defense, we just couldn’t put a ball away. The final playoff round was unfortunate. We had some amazing plays and led most of the way, but we just couldn’t grab ahold of the win in the third set. Danica Minnich played some amazing offense, and passed and defended really well in the back row. Both Abby Corpuz and Caylin Zimmerman added some great fire power and blocking, alternating on the right and in the middle. Ady Colburn and Kelly Bickett set really well and both played very good defense, especially in the last two matches of the day.”
The 14-White had a tough day in their pool.
“The girls played really well and every game was close but we just couldn’t win one,” said coach Kim Buktenica. The team Lost to LAVA South 13s, Rincon 14-Nike, and Club West 14-Gold, with the last two matches going to three sets, losing by two points.
“Mia Barton and Ella Doré both did an amazing job and got many kills, and Grace Crozier set well for us all day long,” Buktenica said. “And even though we didn’t win, the girls played some of the best volleyball I have seen them play to this day.”
The 13-White team is becoming very confident behind the serving line, according to Coach Lindsay Schwartz. “Ellie Chenoweth, Molly Kirkbride, and Oliveya Leon serving is very aggressive, serving multiple serves each opportunity.”
The team won its first match in 3 sets over Protégé 14-Yellow and subsequently lost to Sports Shack 14-Danny and San Gabriel Elite 14-Red to take third on the day. “The scrappy defense and aggressive play are coming along as the team continually learns how to work with each other on the court,” Schwartz added.
On Saturday, the 15-Blue team had a successful day, sweeping its pool with wins over Laguna Beach 15-Lauren (25-15, 25-21), Prime 15-Asics (25-15, 25-19) and Golden West 15-Asics (25-21, 25-18).
Maggie Wilde stuff blocks an attack for the SBVC 15-White.
“Madison Nicolson stepped in and played very well against Prime and Golden West, while Audrey Baldwin showed that she has really matured as a setter,” coach John Sener said. “Both Liana Tacconelli and Megan Seabury passed and played exceptional defense all day, while Kennedy Klusendorf set four really smart matches and consistently kept the opposing blockers of balance.”
In the playoff match against T-Street 15-Kass to move up to Division 1, the team fought its way to a tie at 24 in both sets only to drop them both, 26-24 and 28-26. “We’ve knocked on the Division-1 door twice now, we have to learn to close the deal in those tight matches,” said Sener.
The 15-White team went 2-1 in pool and won its playoff match to move up to Division 3. The team beat Epic 15-Roni and Club West 15-Elite before losing to Pali 15-Nike to finish first in pool on a head-to-head tiebreaker and give itself the opportunity to move up. The team then went on to fight through a three-set epic match to finish victorious over Ventura 15-Aaron 22-25, 26-24, 19-17.
“We played phenomenal this weekend and battled in two close matches to earn the right to advance to division three,” coach Lisa Gera said of her team. “We could not be more proud of these girls for their hard work and tenacity they showed this past tournament. Every player contributed and demonstrated their growth and mental toughness as we beat local team Ventura County 19-17 in the third set to reach a season goal of competing in division 3 by end of the season.”
The 15-Red team “had a great day,” according to Coach Dino Garcia. “Fiona Flynn brought out the shovel in the back row and was digging very well. Erin Holehouse along with Olivia Epstein and Morgan Gomez were unstoppable on offense. We did unfortunately give away a match due to unforced errors, a communication breakdown mainly,” Garcia said.
The team beat Club H 15-Blue and Golden West 15-Glenn, and lost a three setter to Beaumont 15-Sarah, 12-25, 25-23, 15-12. “Overall the team is getting better at making adjustments during a match and improving each tournament,” said Garcia.
The 12-Blue team, coached by Laura Marcus, also finished second for the day, beating Surfside 12-Natasha and San Gabriel Elite 11-Roshambo, and losing a three setter to Supernova 12s 25-23, 25-27, 15-11. Marcus said, “Reese Kelley did a great job setting and Grace Mathews contributed four match winning aces on the day.”
