By Pete Borello

Prep Volleyball Summary

he St. Francis High girls volleyball team finally opened its season last week - more than two weeks after other area teams - and already appear to be in midseason form.

The defending state champions cruised to a pair of straight-game victories, beating SCVAL De Anza Division foes Lynbrook and Los Altos.

St. Francis made quick work of visiting Lynbrook in its Sept. 18 opener, winning 15-1, 15-4, 15-0. Ashley Dutro and Diane Copenhagen each had 11 kills for the Lancers.

St. Francis had a tougher time with host Los Altos last Thursday, prevailing 15-9, 15-5, 15-4.

“It was an interesting match and both teams played some really exciting volleyball,” St. Francis coach Dave Gambelin said. “There were lots of hard-fought, long rallies.”

The Lancers were led by sophomores Dutro and Jessica Gysin (15 kills apiece), along with Christa Conom (42 assists).

St. Francis plays at Palo Alto at 7 p.m., today, before heading to Chicago this weekend for the prestigious Nike Tournament. Many of the top teams in the nation will take part in the event.

Thursday’s match marked Los Altos’ first loss of the season. The Eagles beat host Los Gatos 14-16, 15-0, 15-7, 6-15, 15-13 Sept.18 behind 16 kills from Juli Winterbotham.

Los Altos (1-1, 9-1) hosts Lynbrook at 7 p.m., Thursday.

Mtn. View gets gold

Mountain View captured the Gold Division of last weekend’s The King’s Academy Invitational with a 15-6, 15-13 win over Willow Glen.

Mountain View plays at Fremont at 7 p.m., Thursday.

Gunn falls to Paly

Palo Alto took care of rival Gunn 15-12, 16-14, 12-15, 15-11 Friday in a non-league match.

“They were all pretty tight games,” Gunn coach Evan Barth said. “We were up in all of them, but only managed to win one.”

Liz Johnson led the host Titans (8-6) with 12 kills and Michelle Rybka had seven.

Gunn entertains Cupertino at 7 p.m., Thursday.

Pinewood stopped

Woodside Priory beat host Pinewood 15-5, 15-5, 15-10 on Sept. 19. Brett Smith-Hams led the Panthers (1-2) with 8 kills.

Pinewood (1-1, 1-2) plays a home match against The King’s Academy at 5 p.m., Friday.

Homestead tops ‘toga

Homestead ran its record to 2-0 in the El Camino Division with a 16-14, 15-6, 6-15, 15-7 home win over Saratoga last Thursday.

Adrienne Hoopes paced the Mustangs (5-4 overall) with 12 kills and Ashley Mason recorded seven.

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