Bulldogs improve second time through schedule; Acorns with only
six players finish strong
Morgan Hill – The Live Oak Acorns volleyball team defeated the Sobrato Bulldogs in three straight games in the Acorns final Tri-County Athletic League match of the season at Sobrato on Thursday. The Bulldogs had one match remaining against the Palma Chieftains in Salinas last night.
The Acorns won 25-16, 25-16, 25-17 in the hard-fought match against the Bulldogs.
Justin Venneman led Live Oak with 20 assists, 16 digs, four kills, two aces and one block. Mike Lucarelli-Cowles had 12 kills, 12 digs and one ace in the match, while Cesar Maldonado added five assists, five kills, six digs and seven aces.
“We did pretty good considering this is the last game of the season,” said Live Oak coach Gayle Yankee. “I’m amazed with what we’ve done with only six players. I’m so thrilled and so proud of them.”
Joel Siebert had seven kills, six digs and one ace for the Acorns and Matt Ellis added seven kills, 10 digs and one ace. Ryan Lane finished with six digs, one kill, one block and one ace.
Freshman Jared Mammen led the young Bulldogs with eight kills and two blocks in the match and Bhupinder Ishpuniani added three kills, four digs and one ace. Adam Morales had three kills for Sobrato on his birthday, while teammate Cesar Delgado had 16 service points, two aces and three kills.
“We’ve done a lot of improving,” said Sobrato coach Rosemary Miller. “It was a drastic improvement the second time through. We’ve come a long way.”
“We’ve had the privilege of other coaches telling us how well the boys are doing,” added Sobrato assistant coach Kevin Miller. “Their learning curve is through the roof. It is sad that the season is ending. They’ve started to develop a love for the game.”
Yankee agrees that the Sobrato team shouldn’t be underestimated.
“Sobrato way improved,” said Yankee. “They only missed two serves the whole match and that’s fantastic. They’ll be a force to be reckoned with eventually.”
K. Miller said he is super encouraged for the Bulldogs next season.
“Coaches have been telling us, ‘You guys are dangerous. We’re glad you’re leaving the league’.”
