By Larissa M. Dagnoni, CC
The International varsity girls volleyball team demonstrated why it is undefeated this season as they defeated 2-0 a Cambridge
The Griffins won the first set 25-13, and the second 25-11.
The Knights started confidently, and during the early first set were refusing to let the ball drop. They ran to retrieve the ball, slid and blocked with skill and success. Diana Mendez from the Knights served the ball effectively, and it seemed that the team might indeed be prepared to challenge the Griffins. .
The Lady Knights all-out efforts kept the game close, but the Griffins were doing it all a little bit better, and when the score reached 21-13 the Griffins apparently decided to show the upstart Knights why they are number one in the League. With relentless pressure they won the final four points to take the set and finally crack the Knights’ confidence.
The second set started with strong spike from Mendez, but the Cambridge team was too nervous, and couldn’t match the efficiency and ability of the Griffin
The Griffins finish atop the League with a 5-0 record. They will play Christian Learning in next week’s semifinals, Cambridge
The smart money will be on International, which demonstrated Thursday that even against a determined foe they maintain their calm, with a lot of communication among teammates.
The stands were pretty much empty for the game, but the lack of crowd support for both teams was not a problem since both the Griffins and Knights girls supported each other with screams and cheers. In the playoffs they should get some help from their fans.
Jaguars Dominate Eagles In Season Finale
By Nicolas Handal, SCCS
The Cooperative varsity girls volleyball defeated Christian Learning, two sets to none, on Thursday afternoon in the Jaguars gym, with a small crowd consisting mostly of Christian Learning supporters on hand.
Cooperative dominated play thoroughly, despite the lack of support in the stands, right from the start.
The game started with eight straight points for Cooperative on the serves of Ana Peredo, who smashed the ball with a speed and accuracy that didn’t give her opponents much of a chance.
The first set was characterized by lots of serving skill on the part of the Jaguars. When the ball did come back it was usually soft and easy for the Jaguars to handle. The first set ended up with the Jaguars winning by 16 points, 25-9.
The second set was very similar. The Jaguars continued with their precision service, and the Eagles started to lose faith as the Jaguars continued to roll up points.
There were some wicked strikes from Jaguar Nabila Farah that seemed to drive Christian Learning crazy. The set ended symbolically on an unforced Eagle error, 25-5.
The Jaguars finished second in the League with a 4-1 record, and will face Cambridge in the first round of the playoffs next week. Christian Learning faces the unpalatable task of taking on undefeated International in the semifinals.
