Tigers SCL champs; Lions enjoy solid season
High school volleyball season officially ended for both Analy and El Molino this week, with both logging final outings in the North Coast Section playoffs.
The Lions (8-16) represented the #13 seed in the NCS Division 4 playoffs, enduring a seven-hour bus ride to #4 Del Norte on Nov. 1. For the second year in a row, El Mo fell to the Warriors in straight sets; 25-15, 25-21, 25-21.
“My team was calm and all business for warm ups and we played great the whole match,” Lions coach Becky Sani reported. “Our serving was tough and we picked players to serve to and hit our spots. Our serve receive passing was a bit lacking which gave them (Del Norte) an opportunity to go on short runs of points.”
Pacing the El Mo attack were Kassidy Sani (7 Kills, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 7 digs), Grace McCormick (10 assists, 1 block), Sasha Senal (7 kills, 8 digs, 1 block), Tiger Berna (10 digs) and Yasmin Sierra (10 digs).
Although disappointed with the season ending loss, the Lions came away from the 2017 season feeling good about the direction of the program.
“We slowly improved our game play throughout the season and ended strong,” coach Becky Sani reflected. “Most of our matches were very close and our overall record doesn’t reflect that. Four of my varsity returnees will be playing club ball this spring and several of my lower level players are also going to be playing so I look forward to seeing how much our program improves next year.”
Tigers fall in NCS quarterfinals
The Sonoma County League champion Tigers (21-8) entered the NCS Division 3 tournament as the #2 seed, scoring an opening round win over #15 Hercules on Oct. 31 before falling to #10 ranked Alhambra in four sets on Saturday.
It was all Tigers in the playoff opener against visiting Hercules, riding the hot hand of senior outside hitter Ava Ehens in a dominant win in three sets; 25-13, 25-11, 25-19.
Ehens (9 kills, 11 digs) led the way for Analy, while other strong efforts came from Claire Rudderow (6 kills) and Maddie Windsor (17 assists).
Midnight struck for the Tigers on Saturday, as #10 seeded Alhambra extended their Cinderella season with an upset win in four sets; 23-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-22.
Ehens finished up a brilliant high school career with a team high 18 kills and 18 digs. Other standouts included Alexis Dibene (7 kills), Jalynn Serpa (3 kills, 14 assists), Rudderow (7 kills, 16 digs), Windsor (3 kills, 14 assists), Sabrina Stephens (18 digs) and Vivi Vigil (10 digs).
