Offseason-bound Bulldogs show no letup in four-set victory over
Pioneer
MORGAN HILL
Down to one of her final three volleyball games with Sobrato High School, Kayla McElvy broke the huddle in the third set of Tuesday’s match against Pioneer, looked at the scoreboard and picked out sophomore middle blocker Taylor DiSibio.
For weeks at practice, the two had worked on a slide play in which McElvy sets to her blind side, and DiSibio circles behind her senior setter to plant a spike away from the flow of play.
“Let’s just go for it,” McElvy said, her team leading 9-6 in a series tied one game apiece.
“You sure?” DiSibio said.
“Yeah, we’re totally ready.”
It was their best run-through yet. McElvy placed the ball perfectly, and DiSibio’s right hand smashed it between a labyrinth of outstretched arms for an emphatic kill that helped turn the tide in a 25-27, 25-10, 25-19, 25-19 victory over the Mustangs.
McElvy will miss moments like these most. Wednesday, her team hosts its final Santa Teresa Division contest against visiting Prospect. The Bulldogs, now 5-18 overall and 5-6 in league, will not fulfill their goal of reaching the Central Coast Section playoffs.
But they still have much to play for — three wins McElvy and the seniors would love to share with their younger teammates.
“There’s still a lot of pressure, but it’s good pressure,” said McElvy, who totaled nine digs, eight aces and three tip-kills to go with 17 assists Tuesday. “I want to win. We all do. We all wanted to make it to CCS and have a great year, but we can still make this season special if we win these last three games.”
The Bulldogs could have won more this fall if they played as well as they did at times against the Mustangs (9-12, 1-5). Sobrato led by as many as five before dropping the first set but answered with one of its best all-around efforts yet to tie the series. The Bulldogs collected 18 digs, eight kills and scored 21 of the final 23 points in Game 2.
They carried the same energy into the third set and jumped out to a 24-12 lead behind Andreya Simoneau’s five aces and Emily Kyle’s seven digs; she finished with 18 plus a half dozen kills.
“When we put our energy into it, we start putting things together and making plays,” sophomore blocker Rebekah Inouye said. “We’re playing for pride now, and that means a lot to us. We want to finish strong.”
Sobrato did just that in Game 4, twice overcoming five-point deficits. With the Mustangs guarding DiSibio well, McElvy set up kills for six different players.
“Our passing’s been really consistent, so we’re able to do lots of different things,” first-year SHS coach Danny Chan said. “Kayla’s a really good setter. She gets everyone involved.”
Middle blocker Jessica Westall was everywhere at the right time for Sobrato, whether it was slamming home loose passes by the Mustangs, chipping in blocks or closing out games at the service line. The junior hauled in six kills, six digs and three blocks. Westall also recorded a staggering nine aces, including two that ended Game 2 and four that helped end Game 4.
“Her serves are amazing. They’re kind of scary to defend,” Inouye said. “It pumps us up when we can just sit back and have her serve for points.”
Sobrato senior Jennifer Hinman had 13 digs and five aces at libero, and DiSibio finished with five kills — all set up by McElvy.
“It’s been really fun setting for the younger girls,” McElvy said. “It’s been exciting working with them and seeing their energy. They have a lot to build off.”
Danielle Edwards had eight kills, and Misa Wong had 16 assists and four aces to lead Pioneer.
Gabi Cinkova had 12 kills, Fa Saulala added 10, and Allison Shedden collected five kills out of six attempts Tuesday as the Live Oak Acorns followed up their first loss in Mount Hamilton Division play with a 25-17, 25-18, 25-19 victory over Leigh.
The sweep kept Live Oak (16-8, 10-1) in first place heading into the final three regular-season games. The Acorns host second-place Willow Glen on Thursday for Senior Night.
