Defense, serving propel Hawks over Cavaliers in three games
Defense, serving propel Hawks over Cavaliers in three games
San Jose
Playing in the 2007 California Interscholastic Federation state volleyball championship Division V title game, Watsonville’s Mount Madonna School Hawks overcame a nine-point deficit in the first game against Visalia’s Central Valley Christian School Cavaliers en route to their first state title.
Both teams were making their first state finals appearance during the championships Saturday at the San Jose State Event Center in front of a raucous crowd.
After falling behind 16-7 in the first game, the Hawks went on a 9-0 run and never looked back, defeating the Cavaliers in three games, 25-21, 25-14 and 25-12.
Senior outside hitters Hannah Meade and Alexa Rosendale lead the way for the Hawks with a match-high 11 kills each, but they couldn’t have done it without sophomore setter Erin Mitchell’s match-high 24-set assists.
Building on the momentum from a come-from-behind win in game one, the Hawks began dissecting the Cavaliers with an arsenal of weapons.
Meade had 17 digs while Rosendale had 10, and freshman Soma Sharan finished with eight digs for the Hawks.
While the taller Central Valley Christian team combined for 11 blocks, the undersized Hawks had only one on their cruise to victory.
Meade was named Most Valuable Player of the match, and also won the Pursing Victory with Honor Award.
Mitchell and Rosendale were selected to the All-Tournament team for their performances.
“This win isn’t because of one person,” Meade said. “Our team has been playing together since the sixth grade, and we play like a family. It’s always been a dream, but I had no idea we were going to do it.”
Rosendale said she was nervous at the beginning of the match but found calm in her teammates.
“I wasn’t paying attention to the block, but I settled down and tried to hit smarter, and the inside sets were really working,” Rosendale said.
For Cavaliers junior outside hitter Erica Nederend, who was awarded the Pursuing Victory with Honor award for her team, the loss was very disappointing.
“We came in with so much spirit, but we just didn’t play like we normally do,” Nederend said. “We had an amazing season.”
Nederend attributed her team’s loss to nervousness, and said that they’ll be back fighting for the title next year.
Mount Madonna coach Gabby Houston said her team played great defense to control the game, and the Hawks had 11 serve aces compared to the Cavaliers’ three.
“This is our first time in the state championships so I figured the girls would be nervous, but they got relaxed and played their game,” Houston said. “They are so gritty and tenacious, and their defense was great. My philosophy is that defense and serving are the two most important things.”
