High School Girls and Boys Volleyball 2006 and 2007 The AV Hub Lancaster California Antelope Vall
ey Antelope Valley Hub California AV Business Directory Lancaster Palmdale Quartz Hill Littlerock Pearblossom Mojave Rosemond LLano Crystal Aire Acton Agua Dulce Antelope Acres Lake Hughes Lake Elizabeth Mojave Des
ert Mountain High Lancaster Schools Palmdale Schools AV High School District Edwards Air Force Base Plant 42
2007-2008
Antelope Valley Girl's
By ERIC BACA
Valley Press Staff Writer
That simple, nine-word phrase hasn't meant more all season than it did Thursday - and it, along with the 12 Lobos on the squad were tested all night long.
After going down 2-0 to California High of Whittier in the opening game, Littlerock, a Golden League threat all season, pushed the visiting Condors to a fifth and final game match point before succumbing 16-14 and capping and end to what can only be viewed as a successful season.
"I thought when we took it to five games we had it," Lobos coach Teri Watts said. "They hadn't been taken to five games all season, and we had a lot this year, so I thought we had it there. The girls really wanted it. Just simple mistakes under a lot of pressure."
In the first game, the Lobos didn't look much like the same team that swept Ontario just two days before, falling behind 14-3. Poor communication, strategic lobs and several hard-hit winners from California's Marissa Rangel and the Lobos quickly found themselves on the losing side of a 25-11 rout.
The second game awoke the play of senior outside hitter Priscilla Hall and junior Nikki Castrellon. Even with the Condors well on their way to a second game lead, the Lobos contested each serve and volley, battling back from a 20-11 deficit, scoring eight unanswered points to keep it interesting at 21-19.
After a timeout by California's coach John Horwath, it appeared that Littlerock had captured the momentum needed to complete the comeback. But back-to-back winners from California's Kelsey Stehle put the game out of reach, shutting the door on the Lobos' surge.
During the three-minute changeover, Watts said she had every confidence that her girls would dig themselves out from the tough 0-2 hole.
"We've been 0-2 a lot and battled back," Watts said. "If they wanted it bad enough, they could do it."
The third game saw the Lobos finding their rhythm and enjoying - for the first time all night - a lead. After being up 8-3. the Lobos opened the door for California's middle blocker Chanelle Puou who, after several hard middle court slams, tied the match off of back-to-back aces, knotting the match at 15 a piece. From there the teams traded points to a 24-24 draw. A key tap by Hall over the net, and a final open hand bash down the line gave the Lobos the final two points and the win. In addition to her offensive contributions, Hall added six solo blocks in the quintet.
Going into the fourth game, it was apparent that neither team was giving an inch. A see-saw duel ensued as the teams fought to a 10-10 tie before Littlerock pulled away 21-14 on a strong winner by Castrellon, eventually taking the game 25-20. Castrellon finished with nine kills Thursday.
Then, it came down the decisive fifth game.
Littlerock jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the race to 15. But too many shots in the net proved costly for the Lobos, as the Condors found new life, losing a mere point (13-12). And just as Littlerock was serving for match point, Puou sent a bullet down midcourt to keep the Condors alive. A mistimed jump by Littlerock's Breanna Williams, and a final fault by the Lobos gave the game and the match to the Condors, bringing an end to an amazing match and year. For Watts, in her first season with the Lobos, it has been more than just volleyball.
"I couldn't hold their hands," Watts said. "I needed to guide them, so they could act like adults. These girls get the job done with their hearts and their souls.
The Lobos finished 10-4 in Golden League action this season.
