Kelly Bickett of the SBVC 14-Blue sets the ball Abby Corpuz (2) and Kendall White (11) cover during SCVA Regional Tournament match.
The Santa Barbara Volleyball Club’s 13s and 14s teams competed at the Southern California Volleyball Association Regionals. The 14-Blue team had the best day, going unbeaten in pool play before being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.
With gritty play, the 14-Blue team went the distance in pool play by winning all of its matches in three sets. The team began the day with a win over Surfside 13s, losing the first set but coming back to a commanding win.
“Kelly Bickett set a great match to start the day, giving hitters Jenna MacFarlane and Josie Doughty opportunities to score big with some great swings,” coach K.C.Collins said. “Ady Colburn stepped in to play right side, providing some great defense and the match-winning kill!”
The team then ran up against San Gabriel 14-Elite, splitting the first two sets. Entering in the third set, the 14-Blue commandingly won 15-3, with strong serving and unstoppable defense. SCVC 14-Roxy gave the team a run for its money, but in a tight third set, the 14-Blue managed to make a leap with strong offense at 12-12 to win 15-12.
“Against San Gabriel, Julia Fay fired in some tough serves and provided strong offense on the right-side, while Kendall White and Izzy Mallet did not let a ball drop in the back row,” Collins said. “In the match versus SCVC, Brynna Hodosy played outstanding defense and served tough all match, while the middles Danica Minnich and Abby Corpuz really stepped up late in the day and ran some great offensive plays to keep SCVC guessing on the block. Sophia Fay was a defensive force to be reckoned with all day and really frustrated the opponents making some great ups and covering the court.”
The team’s run was ultimately stopped by Long Beach 14s in the first playoff round. “All in all, the team had a successful day. They work hard in practice and their obvious improvement over the season from match to match is fun to watch,” said Collins.
The 14-Blue team heads off to the week-long AAU National Championships next weekend.
The 13-Blue team had a rough day, losing to Pacific Jrs 14-Rox, Coast 13-Woodie, and Supernova 13-All Stars to finish with a 0-3 record for the day. The team will next compete in the week-long Volleyball Festival in Phoenix, Ariz. at the end of June.
The 13-White team finished its season by placing third for the day with a 1-2 record, also with all matches going to three sets.
“The team played their best and made some awesome plays,” said Coach Kyle Smiley.
The team lost to California Heat 14-Fusion, Aviator 14s and beat Magnum 14s.
“Outside hitters Katie Browne and Oliveya Leon, along with middle Molly Kirkbride, provided some especially strong offense, while libero Makena Burgner displayed great defense in the back row all day. The team played great and ended their season on a successful note!”
Nate Holmes of the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club boys 18-Blue team sets for Morgan Pierce.
SBVC BOYS
Returning to the club courts after their high school season, the SBVC Boys 18s and 16s team played in a one-day tournament in Anaheim on Sunday.
The SBVC 18-Blue team swept its pool, beating Ohana 17-Dru 25-16, 25-21, SMBC 18Silver 25-7, 25-22 and San Clemente 17Dave 25-18, 22-25, 15-4.
According to Coach Matt Jones, “Niko Plesons played some good disciplined defense and basically flew around the court, providing coverage and taking every free ball that came over. Jeffrey Araki came in serving some point scoring runs for the team, and Shane Hauschild adjusted well being on the right side, and his back row attack was deadly.”
The team moved on to beat Beach Cities 18s in the first round of playoffs 25-17 but was defeated next round by Legacy 18-Elite 25-19 to end the day.
“The team did a great job coming together after the break and playing some good volleyball,” Jones said.
The team moves up a division for the next round.
The 16-Blue team went three sets in all of its pool matches and finished with a 2-1 record. It beat Evolution 16s and Ohana 16Mickey and lost to 949 15-Black. The team then lost a hard fought one-set playoff to Vegas 16-Royal 25-18. The SBVC 16-White team won all three of its matches for the day. The team beat Credo 16s in three sets and Club Wood 16s and SMBC 15-Silver in two sets.
All three boys teams will compete again this Saturday in Anaheim.
