By Pete Borello

Prep Volleyball Roundup

Depending on which poll you read, the St. Francis High girls volleyball team is ranked either third, fourth or fifth in the nation.

One thing is for sure, though, the Lancers are No. 1 in the Central Coast Section.

St. Francis (17-1) proved that last Friday by beating the section’s No. 2 team, Mitty (11-3), for the third time this season. The visiting Lancers prevailed 15-13, 4-15, 15-13, 6-15, 15-13.

“It’s hard to beat a good team three times, and we found that out,” said Dave Gambelin, coach of a St. Francis team that beat Mitty in straight games in two previous meetings this season. “But it was nice to be pushed and still win because some complacency was settling in.”

Middle blockers Kelly Corbett and Diane Copenhagen led the Lancers with 36 and 28 kills, respectively.

St. Francis hosts Los Gatos at 7 p.m., Thursday, in a Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division match. The Lancers lead the division at 8-0.

Palo Alto 2, Los Altos 0

Palo Alto defeated Los Altos 15-8, 15-8 Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Harbor Tournament in Santa Cruz.

Los Altos (9-10 overall) reached the quarters by going 2-1 in pool play.

Alex Brown tallied 27 kills and 18 blocks on the day and Beth Saliba had 12 aces. Freshman Allison Miller was the big surprise of the day, coach Jason Mansfield said, posting 17 kills.

Gunn 3, Saratoga 2

Gunn remained in contention for the SCVAL El Camino Division crown with a hard-fought 12-15, 15-2, 13-15, 15-11, 15-13 win at Saratoga last Thursday.

Audrey Milo led the Titans (6-2, 14-9) with 16 kills and Avra Winograd-Hunter had a season-high 13 kills. Liz Johnson contributed eight kills and Sarah Walatka had 39 assists.

“If we keep winning and keep playing like we are, we can still win our league,” Gunn coach Evan Barth said. “That’s always been our goal and we’re going to keep working toward it.”

Gunn hosts Santa Clara (7-1, 21-7) at 7 p.m., Thursday, in a key division match-up.

“We’re looking to avenge an early loss in league,” said Barth, referring to a three-game loss to Santa Clara back on Sept. 28.

Santa Clara 3, Mtn. View 2

Host Santa Clara rallied after losing the first two games to edge Mountain View 11-15, 9-15, 15-9, 15-8, 15-6.

Cassandra Damm had nine kills for the Spartans, who fell to 4-4 in the El Camino Division and 14-13 overall.

Mountain View travels to Sunnyvale Thursday for a 7 p.m. match at Fremont.

Homestead 3, Saratoga 0

Homestead routed Saratoga 15-9, 15-9, 15-7 Oct. 11 in an El Camino Division match.

The Mustangs, who improved their division record to 6-2, were led by Patty Withrow’s 13 kills.

Homestead hosts Wilcox at 7 p.m., Thursday.