Saturday Recap: 7th/8th grade volleyball some how pull out a win

Quick Hit
The 7th/8th grade volleyball team didn't start playing until it was almost too late, as they came from behind to win in three sets, improving their record to (4-2). The 5th/6th grade volleyball team played a competitive game against the number one team in the division, but came up a bit short.


On the soccer field, the 5th/6th grade tie again, with Garrick scoring his first goal ever in a 1-1 tie, while the 7th/8th grade took care of business and won 4-0 behind a hat trick by Sebastian.

(Highlights updated below)

7th/8th grade girls wake up, win game
Take this as a lesson - you can't take any team for granted.

Going up against a (1-4) team, the 7th/8th grade girls played like they should've automatically been handed a victory based on their record. And in return, they were four points away from being upset by a sub .500 team.

After spotting the other team the first set 25-17, they found themselves down 21-12 in the second set until the light switch finally came on.

From that point forward, the girls surged ahead and won the second set 25-23, and the third set 15-10. They escaped with a much needed win.

The good news is that when the girls are motivated and play focused, they can win games. When they don't, they'll get the effort and results for the first half of the game.

Much of the same problems persisted in the first set and a half, with no communication and more than one girl going after the same ball. Their serves which had been so consistent also fell by the waist side.

However when they were clicking, all their bad habits turned 180 degrees, and they were able to make one of the most incredible comebacks in St. Mary's volleyball history.

With the win, the girls have won three straight and are now (4-2).

Strong effort by 5th/6th grade girls
Two hours before the 7th/8th grade girls took the court at CYO Serramonte, the 5th/6th grade girls were going for an upset bid of their own, matched up against the undefeated first place team.

In perhaps a sign of things to come for the afternoon, the 5th/6th grade girls, the heavy underdogs gave the first place team a run for their money.

After a competitive first set which saw the girls lose 25-17, they took a 17-13 lead in the second set. But they simply ran out of gas towards the end and lost the second set 25-22.

For the second straight week, Alexandria served a ball over and Alexis was able to return a ball, both for points.

But against a first place team, the little mistakes all add up, and were too much to overcome.

The 5th/6th grade girls (2-4) served consistent for the most part, but they made faults on a few serves, which really stalled momentum.

Fiona attempted a spike, as the girls were able to three hit, with a bump, set and the eventual hit. However Fiona's ball was spiked too hard and it went over the end line.

There were several moments in the game when the girls were able to get to balls they wouldn't have gotten to two weeks ago. They are also showing the beginning signs of the bump, set and spike.

Sebastian hat trick leads 7th/8th grade soccer
Behind Sebastian's hat trick, the 7th/8th grade soccer put themselves in the driver's seat for the playoffs.

Sebastian scored one goal in the first half, and a pair in the second in a 4-0 win.

Eloy put the 7th/8th graders on the board first with a goal minutes into the game when his hard kick hit the goalie and into the net. He has scored ten goals on the year.

It was also another solid game by the defense who pitched their first shut out of the game. Julio and Brendan were great again with their kicks, getting solid contact on the balls, keeping the other team's attackers out of the zone.

With the win, the 7th/8th grade (3-2-2, 11 points) now controls their playoff destiny.

If they can win next week, they will automatically secure a playoff spot. Lose or tie and they will need some help in the standings from other teams.

The offense today just kept coming and you had the feeling they were going to score some goals. The trio of Eloy, Sebastian and Pablo were in the attack zone all day, wearing out the other team's defense.

John Jett also did a good job playing aggressive and controlling the midfield. His control of the ball set up the third goal when he was able to elude some defenders and getting the ball to Eloy.

With a nice swift kick, Eloy set up Sebastian perfectly as he did on Sebastian's other goals.

Pablo started in goal and was relieved by Anthony, who was late to the game.

Garrick latest to score goal, team ties
It was a very typical game for the 5th/6th grade soccer team. Someone scored a goal, the game was winnable, and a fluky goal was scored by the other team.

Garrick got his foot on a ball in the first quarter to give the 5th/6th grade a 1-0 lead. The goal was Garrick's first goal in his career.

Up against a team that beat them 6-2 the first time, the 5th/6th graders played hard all game and should've could've come away with their first official win of the year.

The only goal that the team gave up was what Jason H. called a "magical shot" that curved into the net.

And that's how it goes for a team scrapping to make the playoffs in their first year.

According to the CYO website, the 5th/6th graders were credited with a win in their first game of the year. And with the tie this afternoon, they can still make the playoffs next week if they win their final game of the year, so a lot is still at stake.

They had a few chances late in the game to get the go ahead goal, but just couldn't push through goal number two.

In fact, Joseph got to a ball late in the game, booted it, thought it went in, but the ball never crossed the line.