By Pete Borello
Prep Volleyball Summary
Eagles soaring
Although the Ashleys were ailing, Los Altos still managed to win both its matches last week.
Not only did the Eagles beat Santa Clara and Lynbrook without starters Ashley Bjorklund and Ashley Watson, who were out sick, but they did so in straight games.
“Last year, if we lost those two, we couldn’t beat these teams,” Los Altos coach Jason Mansfield said. “It just shows the depth of this team; we’re really balanced.”
The Eagles dispatched host Santa Clara 15-7, 15-11, 15-5 on Sept. 25 behind 14 kills and eight blocks from Juli Winterbotham.
On Thursday Los Altos defeated visiting Lynbrook 15-8, 15-10, 15-7. Allie Miller had 11 kills “and dominated the net,” Mansfield said, while Andrea Cummings had nine kills.
The Eagles, who improved to 3-1 in the De Anza Division and 11-1 overall, play a 7 p.m. match at Monta Vista on Thursday.
Spartans surge
Mountain View is looking like the surprise team of the SCVAL El Camino Division. The Spartans, who returned just two starters from a year ago, entered this week tied for second place (3-1) and boasting a 10-5 overall mark.
Last Thursday Mountain View flogged Fremont 15-8, 15-7, 15-6 in Sunnyvale. Middle blocker Anna Carlstone had 10 kills for the Spartans.
Two days earlier, host Mountain View stunned Gunn 15-10, 15-7, 10-15, 15-11. The Titans, considered a top contender for the division crown, had no answer for Carlstone, who made 15 kills.
Gunn coach Evan Barth was clearly disappointed with his team’s performance.
“We just kind of self-destructed on our side of the net and lost to a team that’s not as good as us,” he said. “… I have no doubt that there will be a different outcome when they come to our place.”
Audrey Milo led the Titans (2-1, 8-7) with 13 kills. Los Altos Hills resident Sarah Walatka had seven kills and 35 assists.
Mustangs riding high
Losing last Friday at the Nike Challenge in Chicago may have been just what the St. Francis High girls volleyball team needed, according to coach Dave Gambelin.
“You never want to lose,” Gambelin said, “but in a sense it was a wake-up call.”
The Lancers, who entered the prestigious tournament undefeated (4-0) and ranked No. 1 in one national poll, dropped its opening match on Friday. Queen of Peace (Chicago) beat St. Francis 16-14, 5-15, 15-12.
The Lancers bounced back on Saturday, though, winning all three of their matches to claim the consolation championship.
“I was pleased,” Gambelin said. “We got better each match.”
St. Francis sophomores Diane Copenhagen and Jessica Gysin “were by far our most outstanding players,” the coach said.
Before departing for Chicago, the Lancers last week snuck in two SCVAL De Anza Division matches, which they won easily.
St. Francis took care of visiting Monta Vista 15-6, 15-4, 15-5 on Sept. 25, then beat host Palo Alto 15-8, 15-6, 15-11 the next day. Gysin and Copenhagen each had 17 kills against Paly.
Gunn’s loss to Mountain View allowed Homestead to take sole possession of first place in the El Camino Division.
The Mustangs (4-0, 7-4) won both their matches in straight games last week. They followed a 15-7, 15-11, 15-6 victory at Santa Clara on Sept. 25 with a 15-9, 15-4, 15-13 home win over Wilcox on Thursday.
Adrienne Hoopes led Homestead with nine kills against Cupertino and Patty Withrow put up seven kills against Wilcox.
