Prep volleyball roundup: St. Francis, Sacred Heart Prep, James Logan, Lynbrook and Menlo-Atherton among winners
Bay Area volleyball: Menlo School, San Ramon Valley, Palo Alto, Campolindo and others win
No. 1 St. Francis 3, Presentation 0
With a 25-15, 25-6, 25-13 sweep at Presentation, the top team in the Bay Area improved to 24-3 overall and 7-1 in league play.
Katherine Adkison, an outside hitter, and Bridget Gammons, a senior, were both standouts. Ella Fulton, Riley Barulich, Cassidy Pietsch, and libero Nyaah Cacao all had outstanding performances.
This was St. Francis’ 14th season sweep and fifth in WCAL competition. It was the Lancers’ first game back in the Bay since returning from the Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona, where they went 7-0 and defeated Cornerstone Christian-Texas in the championship game.
The Lancers will play four more games against WCAL opponents in the coming weeks. This slate excludes Archbishop Mitty, with whom St. Francis split the series. This weekend, the Mountain View school will also compete in a tournament in Stockton.
No. 5 Sacred Heart Prep 3, No. 15 Sacred Heart Cathedral 0
Prep raised $23,000 for breast cancer charities on its annual “Pink Out” night before sweeping a Cathedral team that was coming off a shocking victory over Valley Christian.
The Gators were led by six seniors. Isabelle Marco, the setter, had 10 kills and 13 digs, and Jillian Amaro had 19 assists. OH MB Namoi Watson had seven blocks and two kills, while Mia Radeff had 11 kills and five digs. Ellie Wheeler, the libero, had 11 digs and Kelsey Chad had eight. SHP’s record improved to 14-8.
No. 8 Menlo-Atherton 3, Aragon 0
Menlo-Atherton extended its winning streak to a month (last loss was Sept. 2) and double digits (10) with a 25-14, 25-16, 25-17 victory over Aragon.
What’s the secret to the Bears’ success?
“Tenacious team chemistry,” said M-A coach Denny Falls. “Many players across the team have contributed in different ways and on different nights this season, so that’s what has made the run so special and dynamic.”
Dani Eline had 11 kills, 13 digs, and two blocks, while Aria Sokol had eight kills and two aces.
Duru Ruacan had 20 kills, eight digs, and two aces, while junior Sarah Littlefield had three kills and three blocks. Kiela King had 12 digs and two aces, while Sienna Morales had nine kills and six blocks.
No. 11 Palo Alto 3, Gunn 0
Palo Alto is in the midst of spirit week ahead of its homecoming football game against ranked Menlo School on Friday, and the volleyball team had reason to rejoice after claiming its third victory (25-19, 26-24, 25-17) over rival Gunn this season.
Kylie Yen, a senior at Paly, had 15 kills and eight digs, and Maura Hambly, a nominee for athlete of the week, had 10 kills and nine digs.
Reese Japic, a sophomore, had three aces, three kills, and three blocks, while Sophie Mies had 35 assists, six kills, and nine digs. Palo Alto improved to 18-3 overall and 7-0 in league play with a dozen digs from Mackenzie Zhao. Paly coach Chris Crader stated that the team has won 32 of the last 34 games against Gunn.
No. 12 James Logan 3, Mission San Jose 0
James Logan improved to 28-4 with an easy victory over Mission San Jose (25-21, 25-11, 25-22) after losing to Mountain View-Arizona.
Leann Jung, a sophomore setter, reached 1,000 career assists in the first set, compiling 22 assists and nine digs for the match.
McKenzie Anderson had 13 kills and 20 digs, and Kemi Adediji, a junior, had nine kills and four digs. Dylan Gutierrez, a senior, had six kills and four digs. Julianna Bondoc, a senior libero and athlete of the week nominee, had a game-high 25 digs. Logan is undefeated in the league.
No. 13 San Ramon Valley 0, Carondelet 0
San Ramon Valley defeated another East Bay rival, Carondelet, by scores of 28-26, 25-19, and 25-18. Lucy Chertock, a junior outside hitter, had 17 kills, one ace, six digs, and one block, while Maddie Connelly, another OH, had 10 kills and four digs.
Sophia Vella, a junior MH, had nine kills and two blocks. Audree Vasconi, a senior setter, had 25 assists, one ace, and two digs. SRV is now 16-4 overall and 8-1 against EBAL opponents.
Campolindo 3, Las Lomas 2
Campolindo needed to complete what team statistician Matt Worster dubbed “the reverse sweep” in order to remain undefeated in Diablo Athletic League play. The first two sets were won by Las Lomas, 25-21 and 28-26.
But the Cougars came back to win the next three games, including a mini-rally from a 3-0 deficit in the fifth. Mia Wallach, a sophomore, finished the game by serving eight consecutive points.
Senior setter Rachel Andre dished out 43 assists, and Hanna Bjornson led the team with 25 kills on 68 attempts. Senior libero Riley Regan led the defense with 24 digs, and sophomore middle Ava Rogers had four blocks.
Pittsburg 3, Antioch 0
With a 25-16, 25-22, 25-13 victory over rival Antioch, the Pirates improved to 3-2 in the Bay Valley Athletic League. Janilca Velasco-Moreno, the libero, had three aces and 28 receptions, and OH Niamiah Moreno had 13 kills and 12 digs to lead the team. Ashlynn Kondra led the team with eight kills and five digs. Diana Willingham had a team-high 17 assists, and Eleyah Fale also played well.
Homestead 3, Santa Clara 1
Homestead improved to 7-0 in league play after defeating Santa Clara 25-17, 16-25, 26-24, 25-10. Lilian Logan, a freshman setter, had 30 assists and four aces, and Emily Su, a senior outside hitter, had eight kills on 12 attempts. Homestead (12-5) improved to 4-0 on the road thanks to libero Ingrid Gomard’s 27 digs.
Hayward 3, Tennyson 0
Hayward coach Alisa Parsons described Monday’s victory over Tennyson as a “serving game,” with seniors Emi Licea, Makayla Asoy, Leica Leonador, and Rosalynn Jimenez providing outstanding service.
Parsons said the return of senior outside hitter Isia Fonua, who had been out with an injury for the previous six weeks, gave the team a boost. Fonua and Licea had the most kills on the team. Evalynn Jimenez was an excellent passer. Hayward’s record now stands at 8-4.
Mountain View 3, Monta Vista 1
Mountain View won 25-23, 25-18, 15-25, 25-20 despite what coach Dave Winn described as a “super flat” third set. Mallory Berent led the way with 13 kills, while MV teammate Addy Kopp had nine kills and Mia Diego had six. On defense, reigning Athlete of the Week Kendyll Winn and Hazel Nadeau played well.
Gilroy 3, Oak Grove 1
With the exception of a lopsided second match, Gilroy’s 25-21, 25-8, 25-27, 29-27 win over Oak Grove was competitive throughout. Gilroy was led by Sarah Porter’s five kills, and freshman Sienna Schwinges had a team-high eight aces, while seniors Zaniah Haygood and Natalia Sandoval each had five. With 11 assists, Bella Rodrigo tied Ava Hudnut for the Gilroy team lead.
Branham 3, Leland 1
Branham won the first two sets, extending their winning streak to three games and improving to 7-0 in league play. Andra Enache was all over the court, finishing the night with 17 kills, six blocks, and four aces. Brianna Dalzochio had eight blocks, and Giselle Paedon had 16 kills and three aces to earn athlete of the week honors. CC Bonnard recorded four blocks.
Los Altos 3, Gunn 0
Los Altos swept Gunn for its second loss in as many days. Coach Peter Kim mentioned Ally Leong, outside hitter Josephine Wong, and middle blocker Ella McFarlane as standouts for Los Altos. It was a small measure of retaliation for the 11-7 Eagles, who were swept by Gunn in mid-September.
Freedom 3, Deer Valley 0
On the surface, Freedom’s 25-15, 25-16, 25-22 victory over Deer Valley appeared unremarkable. However, Freedom coach Liz Rivas admitted that the final set was difficult.
“In the last set, we struggled, making silly unforced errors (and) trailing by three to four points.” I called a timeout to give the girls a chance to rest and refocus. This helped us regain momentum and take the lead in three sets.”
Kyla Powell had 14 kills and seven aces to lead the team. Junior Corrina Singleton had three aces, and Rivas praised junior libero Nielly Cautiverio, who was called up from the JV team. Lorelei Holder and Madison Perry both had three kills.
Berean Christian 3, Alhambra 1
With a 3-1 victory over Alhambra, Berean Christian improved to 12-4 overall and 5-0 in the Diablo Athletic League. Marley Seelye, a sophomore, had 14 kills and four blocks, and Sophie Hall had 10 kills, 22 digs, and six aces. Megan Rost, a junior libero, had 34 digs, and outside hitter Annasophia Vranjes had nine kills, 16 digs, and five aces.
Saint Mary’s-Berkeley 3, St. Patrick-St. Vincent 1
The Panthers rallied after losing the first set and handed SPSV its eighth loss of the season on Monday night, winning 20-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-18. Setters Jae Vass and Lexi Madrigal, as well as Ashley Taboada, Sasha Bartel, Kalaya Phung, London Crawford, and Corinne Jones, performed admirably, according to St. Mary’s coach Chris Martinez. On senior night, St. Mary’s improved to 13-6 thanks to junior Dallas Fa’fiu.
Sobrato 3, Prospect 1
Sobrato is on a three-game winning streak after defeating Prospect by scores of 22-25, 28-26, 21-25, and 20-25. Sobrato was led by Kaylee Clayton, who had 14 kills and two aces, and senior Brianna Bouton, who had 10 kills and three blocks. Sophomore setter Jordan Bouton had 36 assists and three aces, and sophomore Melodee Glover added five blocks. Captain and senior libero Ingrid Thang had seven aces, according to prospect coach Linda Brooks, and junior MH Sydney Slezak had 11 kills.
Lynbrook 3, Wilcox 0
Lynbrook improved to 12-4 with a 25-17, 25-18, 25-16 victory over Wilcox on Monday night. Carrie Chern and Tanya Wang both had outstanding games, and Lynbrook’s senior co-captains Valerie Eng and Madison Badger led the way as usual. Eng had four digs and 25 assists, while Badger had eight kills. Eng may not be the tallest player on the team, but he adds a lot of value to the team, according to Lynbrook coach Hole Nguyen. She has the fastest hands on the court.” Chern had six aces, while Wang led the team with 12 digs.
Menlo School 3, Notre Dame-San Jose 0
In West Bay Athletic League action Tuesday night, the Knights swept visiting Notre Dame-San Jose 25-8, 25-16, and 25-21. Cleo Hardin, a senior outside hitter, had 16 kills, and libero Ava Wang had five aces and 12 digs. Lily Kautai, a junior setter, had 34 assists. Menlo School improved to 15-10 thanks to senior Bella Chen’s five blocks and seven kills, and junior Bryn Dombkowski’s seven kills.
Washington-Fremont 3, Irvington 0
Washington-Fremont hosted and defeated crosstown rival Irvington 25-20, 25-16, 25-15 to improve to 13-5 under coach Phap Phan. Sara Hashimi, a junior, had 13 kills and two blocks, and Tarika Vishwas, a sophomore, had 12 kills.
