The Windsor High School varsity volleyball team wrapped up an historic fall campaign on Nov. 15, falling to St. Francis of Sacramento in straight sets in the opening round of the CIF Nor Cal State Playoff Tournament.
The Jaguars finished the year with a share of the Sonoma County League title and a final record of 19-7.
“What a season it was,” WHS coach Rich Schwarz reflected. “Although heartbreaking to watch the seniors play their last high school match, they all were proud of how they battled such a strong team. When I look back over the season, I’m proud of the accomplishments these girls had.”
The 2016 season was a watershed year in many ways. The team’s list of goals achieved included; a first-ever ever win over Maria Carrillo to end their 70 match league winning streak, beating every NBL team to start league with 7-0 record, a first ever NBL title (4 way tie) and notching two wins in the NCS tournament for the first time to advance to Nor Cals.
Windsor also boasted its share of individual accolades, including a first-ever NBL MVP in senior outside hitter Allison Post. Other all-leaguers included senior setter Bridget Aikawa (1st team), junior libero Kylie Benjamin (1st team) and sophomore middle hitter Brittany Johnson (2nd team).
Jags bounced by St. Francis
Windsor’s opening round Nor Cal match at St. Francis in Sacramento pitted the #11 seeded Jaguars against the #6 ranked Troubadors. Although the Jags fought valiantly, they would succumb to St. Francis’ formidable front line in three hard-fought sets; 25-20, 25-12 and 25-22.
“The loss was a picture of our season wrapped in one match,” Schwarz noted. “We fell behind early in game one (16-8) before we started to understand that yes, this St. Francis team was very good, but they were not unbeatable.”
After dropping games one and two, the Jaguars mounted a spirited rally in the third set.
“Game three brought out the team I loved coaching,” Schwarz said. “They weren’t going to go down without a fight. Libero Kylie Benjamin looked at the team and said ‘win or lose we know we can play better than we are, so lets get it together and keep fighting.’”
The teams fought tooth and nail with the set tied game several times before the Troubadors pulled out the game and match, 25-22.
Post put the final touches on an MVP season with 14 kills, 8 digs and 2 aces. Other great efforts included Aikawa (24 assists, 6 digs, 2 kills, 1 ace), Benjamin (16 digs, 1 ace) and Destiny Clark (5 kills, 1 ace).
