West Valley Division champions lose in four
Monterey – The Sobrato High girls volleyball team made an early exit from its first ever Central Coast Section playoff run, losing 3-1 to Monterey on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs were able to steal the third game, but ultimately fell 25-16, 25-21, 25-18, 25-14.
“We didn’t serve well,” said assistant coach Kevin Miller. “We made a lot of service errors. Then the girls would try to recover … but it would force them to make other errors.”
Miller said after falling in a 0-2 hole, head coach Rosemary Miller told the team that they had to prove why they earned the Blossom Valley Athletic League West Valley Division title.
“(She) said to the players that they were going to take a game and not get swept,” Miller said. “They had to show (Monterey) why they were the league champs.”
The speech worked and the team was able to take a quick 6-0 lead behind strong play from Katie Nicca.
“From there, they were riding the emotions,” Miller said. “They played hard and showed why we were the league champions.”
Ultimately, Miller said the youth of the Sobrato team couldn’t compete with Monterey’s experience.
He said the Toreadores were able to go on scoring runs that put them on top of the Bulldogs to the point that the Sobrato girls couldn’t recover.
“The more experienced players gave them the edge,” Miller said.
Leading the way for the Bulldogs were Jordyn Hanne and Laura Billos, who each had 11 kills. Kelsey Westall was the next leading attacker with eight kills.
Miller said that Cheyenne Hambey also stepped it up defensively in the second game and gave one of her best performances of the year.
“She decided to turn it on and she had the game of the year for herself,” Miller said. “She was digging balls out of no place.”
After the game, Miller said the team was disappointed about making an early exit from CCS, but said on the ride home it became more optimistic for next year.
“After the long ride home, we said … they look good for next year,” Miller said.
“With the speed and talent they played with tonight, they are ready for next year.”
Miller said the focus for the season was to win the BVAL title, which the team accomplished.
“Our goal was to win the league championship and this game shows us that we could win another one.”
Sobrato should return most of its players next year after losing one senior – Hanne – to graduation.
