Sports

Megan V. Winslow/Town Crier
Junior outside hitter Mollie Ebertin leads the Lancers in kills so far this season.

Volleyball players in the West Catholic Athletic League ought to receive an “I Survived the WCAL” T-shirt at the end of the season. The league is as tough – if not tougher than – any in Northern California.

“Everyone is very good,” said St. Francis High girls coach Mike Rubin, whose Lancers begin WCAL play today. “Three teams from our league won state titles last year – that’s unheard of.”

Megan V. Winslow/Town Crier
Los Altos High’s Katherine Mumm attempts a save as a teammate takes cover Friday during a practice.

It’s showtime for Los Altos High volleyball players Kate Carlson, Avery Deaton, Lauren Limbach, Katherine Mumm and Hanadi Nassif.

“They’ve been waiting in the wings, and now it’s their time to shine,” coach Peter Kim said days before the Eagles embarked on their 2016 season.

Stanford Photo
Los Altos native Brittany Howard, going for the kill while playing for Stanford University, graduated from the school in June.

Like many of us, Brittany Howard will be watching the Olympics from afar this summer. Four years from now, the Los Altos resident might just be among the lucky few who get to compete in the Games.

Howard played on the U.S. women’s national volleyball team that won bronze at last month’s Pan American Cup in the Dominican Republic. Making the 12-member American squad –comprised of college players and recent grads – is seen as a significant step for those with Olympic dreams.

Town Crier file photo
St. Francis High setter Curtis Reitmeir led the Lancers in assists this season.

The same boys volleyball team that snapped St. Francis High’s 25-match winning streak to start the season has now ended the Lancers’ season as well.

Second-seeded Granite Bay defeated the No. 3 Lancers in four sets Thursday night in the semifinals of the Northern California Division I playoffs. The host Grizzlies prevailed 25-22, 17-25, 25-18, 25-22.