Playing without Kaela for the first time this season, the 5th/6th grade girls lost a little spring in their step, and eventually lost a crucial game which dropped them from a potential first seed in the playoffs to the fourth.
After forfeiting the first set because they had only five girls at game time, the 5th/6th graders lost set two 25-20.
In volleyball, when a team doesn't have enough players in time for the game, the first set is automatically lost. The team which forfeits the first set, in this case, the 5th/6th graders this morning, need to then win the second and third set in order to take the match.
Suffice to say, it did not happen.
However, it could've happened.
The game was tied 20-20, but the other team rattled off three straight points, including two balls that hit in the floor in between a player in the front row, and a player in the back row.
Overall, the 5th/6th grade girls (6-2) played a pretty solid game, but made far too many mistakes, mistakes they usually don't make.
Their serving, for one, was not at its best. Almost every girl had trouble consistently serving the ball over. Some girls who couldn't have served better on one serve, followed it up, by hitting the ball out of bounds or even into the stands.
Only one time the entire game did the girls string together three points at a time. They never built any sustained momentum and in the end it was costly.
Even without Kaela, who is their most experienced player, and someone the team looks to as their leader, they could've, and should've won the game.
Had their been another set, the girls probably could've outlasted the other team since the 5th/6th graders were a little flat to start the game.
It was a given as the team was thrown off by the first set forfeit.
Now, they will most likely have to go up against Mission Dolores, a team they beat on their home floor a little more than a week ago.
And for them to get to the championship, they'll have to do it again in the playoffs.
No matter how the seedings went, the girls were going to have to beat Mission Dolores if they wanted to win it all. Now they'll just need to do it a week earlier than planned.
They should have Kaela back, which should ease the nerves of the entire team.
The loss Saturday was also a first, because the 5th/6th grade girls lost for the first time, a game they let slip away.
They'll need to learn from their mistakes, and hopefully use this game to make them tougher, because the hard part has just begun.
.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
3rd/4th graders battle hard in their final game
If there's one thing we've learned about the 3rd/4th grade girls after their first season of volleyball is that serving will not be an issue for years to come.
Avalon, Justina and Amy all hit their four serve limits, and the rest of the team followed suit and arguably had their best game serving, comparable to their victory a few weeks ago at CYO Serramonte.
On the contrary, we've also learned that the biggest need for improvement was their serve receive in Saturday's season finale where they lost 25-17, 25-20.
Many of their games, especially the ones down the stretch which could've gone either way, were lost because they were unable to return the ball off the other team's serve.
Some serves were probably too difficult to return, but there have been a good share that the girls could've returned and today was no different.
In all, they didn't return more than a handful of serves from the other team.
And when the 3rd/4th graders serve so well, they lose just as many points when they can't return the ball.
Aside from three of the girls on the team, the other five participated in their first CYO sport ever, which will be valuable experience not only this year, but for years to come.
Interestingly enough, they already have a leg up on some of the best volleyball players our school has produced, because many of them started in the later grades.
With 3rd and 4th grade being the foundation, their development will be quicker, and the progression from year to year will move along at a more rapid pace.
The girls fell behind early in the first set, but slowly climbed their way back into it before letting it slip away at the end.
Amy served them within a point of the lead in the second set at 18-17, but that's as close as it got.
In their final two games of the year, they improved their scores against teams that beat them decisively earlier in the season, so the progress in just a little under two months has been pretty drastic.
The eight girls who formed our youngest volleyball team in recent history went through some growing pains this year, but the future is extremely bright for these future stars.
Avalon, Justina and Amy all hit their four serve limits, and the rest of the team followed suit and arguably had their best game serving, comparable to their victory a few weeks ago at CYO Serramonte.
On the contrary, we've also learned that the biggest need for improvement was their serve receive in Saturday's season finale where they lost 25-17, 25-20.
Many of their games, especially the ones down the stretch which could've gone either way, were lost because they were unable to return the ball off the other team's serve.
Some serves were probably too difficult to return, but there have been a good share that the girls could've returned and today was no different.
In all, they didn't return more than a handful of serves from the other team.
And when the 3rd/4th graders serve so well, they lose just as many points when they can't return the ball.
Aside from three of the girls on the team, the other five participated in their first CYO sport ever, which will be valuable experience not only this year, but for years to come.
Interestingly enough, they already have a leg up on some of the best volleyball players our school has produced, because many of them started in the later grades.
With 3rd and 4th grade being the foundation, their development will be quicker, and the progression from year to year will move along at a more rapid pace.
The girls fell behind early in the first set, but slowly climbed their way back into it before letting it slip away at the end.
Amy served them within a point of the lead in the second set at 18-17, but that's as close as it got.
In their final two games of the year, they improved their scores against teams that beat them decisively earlier in the season, so the progress in just a little under two months has been pretty drastic.
The eight girls who formed our youngest volleyball team in recent history went through some growing pains this year, but the future is extremely bright for these future stars.
Even with only 9 players, the 7th/8th grade refuses to lose, wins
Even with only 9 players, the 7th/8th grade soccer team did whatever it took to get a win in their regular season finale.
Playing without four players, who were inexcusably absent from the soccer field Saturday afternoon, the boys shutout their opponent 1-0 and secured the third seed in their division.
"They were able to buckle down and ignore the fact they had less players," said coach Derek Kwong. "Come game time, they were ready."
"They were able to buckle down and ignore the fact they had less players," said coach Derek Kwong. "Come game time, they were ready."
Christian and Moises broke through in the 2nd quarter when Christian passed a ball to Moises, setting him up for a breakaway chance against the goalie. Moises came through and planted the ball into the net for his 4th goal of the year, giving the 7th/8th graders a 1-0 lead, a lead they would never relinquish.
Knowing they only had 9 players, the 7th/8th grade played a defensive game the rest of the way, clogging the defensive zone and not giving the other team any room to operate.
Their defense went into a complete shell in the 4th quarter, defending countless throw-ins in their own zone, and several corner kicks.
But the defenders such as Aaron, Brendan, Luis and Tyler, all won the little battles that needed to be had, and the 7th/8th grade came out on top.
Julian was in goal and recorded his first career shutout.
At (3-3-2), the 7th/8th grade will play the second seeded team in their division, which has still yet to be determined.
If all the right things fall into place, they will go up against a team which they tied against 4-4 just a few weeks ago.
But they can't get away with only having the bare minimum and they'll need the strength of their entire team to get to the championship.
After three years of listless soccer, St. Mary's soccer teams have now made the playoffs in two consecutive years, an astonishing accomplishment.
This team lost its first two games and it had the makings of another ugly season out on the grass, or turf, but the team eventually started to click and they've played some real good soccer throughout the latter stages of the season.
Now it's onto the final four, where it's anybody's ballgame.
For a championship, it will take just two good ones.
Now it's onto the final four, where it's anybody's ballgame.
For a championship, it will take just two good ones.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Saturday Recap
With only 9 players, the 7th/8th grade soccer team picked up a much needed win that puts them in 3rd place going into the playoffs. Moises scored the only goal on a breakaway in the first half for the short-handed 7th/8th graders. They finish the season (3-3-2).
The 5th/6th grade girls had only five girls at game time and were forced to forfeit the first set. When they had 6 girls, they lost a close one 25-21, that dropped them from first to fourth place in their division. This was a game the girls could've won, but they fell just a bit short and finish the regular season (6-2).
Serve receive remained a huge problem for the 3rd/4th grade girls as they lost their final game of the year, 25-17, 25-20. Their serves were probably as strong as they've been all season but their returns were not on point. They do however wrap up the regular season with one win.
Full recaps to come later today.
The 5th/6th grade girls had only five girls at game time and were forced to forfeit the first set. When they had 6 girls, they lost a close one 25-21, that dropped them from first to fourth place in their division. This was a game the girls could've won, but they fell just a bit short and finish the regular season (6-2).
Serve receive remained a huge problem for the 3rd/4th grade girls as they lost their final game of the year, 25-17, 25-20. Their serves were probably as strong as they've been all season but their returns were not on point. They do however wrap up the regular season with one win.
Full recaps to come later today.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Undefeated no more, 7th/8th grade takes down top team
The 7th/8th grade coaches were not happy to say the least after their team's performance Thursday night.
Despite winning in straight sets, the girls were lethargic, uninspired, and played like it was more of a chore than an opportunity. They looked lazy and lacked motivation, which was not the way they needed to play going into the showdown for first place Friday night.
And after losing the first set 25-19, the 7th/8th grade girls could've conceited defeat to the first place team, but they kept fighting.
In fact, they fought back so hard they dethroned the top team in the division, winning sets two and three, 25-23, 15-10, and handed the former first place team their first loss of the season.
Strangely, the girls weren't playing that badly in the first set, the other team was simply better. Even in the second set, the 7th/8th graders at one point were down 17-11 before they really got their game going.
Little by little, they started chipping away, stringing together points on serve receive and then scoring on their serves.
Isabella served a ball over when the team was down 19-17, getting a point, and forcing the other team to call a timeout, as the momentum began to shift.
Down 20-18, the girls pulled out a crucial point in one of the longest rallies of the night, with both teams making some real tough plays to keep the ball alive.
Victoria has been very consistent on her serves the last two games, putting balls deep in the back row. It was on her serve the girls took their first lead of the night at 21-20.
Many of the balls that the 7th/8th graders were unable to get over were directed at Victoria early in the first set. So she did a remarkable job putting it behind her and playing solid the rest of the way.
Same could be said for Ivy who had some bad bumps and passes early in the game, but as the game wore on, she was able to put on her best performance in a St. Mary's uniform, as she wasn't afraid to be aggressive and spike/hit the ball for some points.
Down 22-21, the girls caught a little break when Cynthia's spike clipped the top of the net and fell on the other side to even the score back at 22-22 a piece.
The team captain then stepped up and banged two straight serves over setting up set point when she erroneously served the ball out of bounds.
Just as the first set ended when Fiona faulted on her serve, the other team returned the favor serving the ball wide right, giving the 7th/8th grade girls the second set 25-23.
Cynthia served the girls out to a nice 4-0 lead, which proved to be the difference in the game. At one point the girls held a 6-1 lead, but they traded points with both teams faulting on serves.
On set point, Ivy returned a ball which was slicing towards the sideline which the other team couldn't handle. The ball was bumped out of bounds and the 7th/8th graders picked up their best win of the year.
Despite winning in straight sets, the girls were lethargic, uninspired, and played like it was more of a chore than an opportunity. They looked lazy and lacked motivation, which was not the way they needed to play going into the showdown for first place Friday night.
And after losing the first set 25-19, the 7th/8th grade girls could've conceited defeat to the first place team, but they kept fighting.
In fact, they fought back so hard they dethroned the top team in the division, winning sets two and three, 25-23, 15-10, and handed the former first place team their first loss of the season.
Strangely, the girls weren't playing that badly in the first set, the other team was simply better. Even in the second set, the 7th/8th graders at one point were down 17-11 before they really got their game going.
Little by little, they started chipping away, stringing together points on serve receive and then scoring on their serves.
Isabella served a ball over when the team was down 19-17, getting a point, and forcing the other team to call a timeout, as the momentum began to shift.
Down 20-18, the girls pulled out a crucial point in one of the longest rallies of the night, with both teams making some real tough plays to keep the ball alive.
Victoria has been very consistent on her serves the last two games, putting balls deep in the back row. It was on her serve the girls took their first lead of the night at 21-20.
Many of the balls that the 7th/8th graders were unable to get over were directed at Victoria early in the first set. So she did a remarkable job putting it behind her and playing solid the rest of the way.
Same could be said for Ivy who had some bad bumps and passes early in the game, but as the game wore on, she was able to put on her best performance in a St. Mary's uniform, as she wasn't afraid to be aggressive and spike/hit the ball for some points.
Down 22-21, the girls caught a little break when Cynthia's spike clipped the top of the net and fell on the other side to even the score back at 22-22 a piece.
The team captain then stepped up and banged two straight serves over setting up set point when she erroneously served the ball out of bounds.
Just as the first set ended when Fiona faulted on her serve, the other team returned the favor serving the ball wide right, giving the 7th/8th grade girls the second set 25-23.
Cynthia served the girls out to a nice 4-0 lead, which proved to be the difference in the game. At one point the girls held a 6-1 lead, but they traded points with both teams faulting on serves.
On set point, Ivy returned a ball which was slicing towards the sideline which the other team couldn't handle. The ball was bumped out of bounds and the 7th/8th graders picked up their best win of the year.
This was the best game the girls have played all season and for many of the girls, their careers. They finish with a (7-1) record, and made history by having more wins than any other St. Mary's Athletics volleyball team in the regular season.
Up next is a playoff game against one of the two teams they beat twice, and then an eventual rematch against the team they played tonight.
Overall, it was a great team effort and the girls dug really deep, because this team has been known to have mental lapses, and issues with confidence when they aren't at their best.
So for them to shake off a bad start in the first set to come back and win against an undefeated team just shows how good these girls are, and can be.
Their coaches were pretty happy Friday night, and so was everyone else.
Briefly: Jerry Lee, Calson, Brett, Justin Khuu, Tiffy, were all in attendance at tonight's game...Cynthia will be representing St. Mary's in the CYO Achievement Game, 6 p.m. Monday night at St. Emydius...Her sisters Serina and Melinda, both did not show up to watch the fantastic match.
Up next is a playoff game against one of the two teams they beat twice, and then an eventual rematch against the team they played tonight.
Overall, it was a great team effort and the girls dug really deep, because this team has been known to have mental lapses, and issues with confidence when they aren't at their best.
So for them to shake off a bad start in the first set to come back and win against an undefeated team just shows how good these girls are, and can be.
Their coaches were pretty happy Friday night, and so was everyone else.
Briefly: Jerry Lee, Calson, Brett, Justin Khuu, Tiffy, were all in attendance at tonight's game...Cynthia will be representing St. Mary's in the CYO Achievement Game, 6 p.m. Monday night at St. Emydius...Her sisters Serina and Melinda, both did not show up to watch the fantastic match.
Coaches fume after the 7th/8th grade's latest performance
It's not often following a decisive win, at least on the scoreboard, that a team's coaches are furious with the way their team had performed.
But that was the case with the 7th/8th grade volleyball team's win Thursday night.
One coach even said that if tonight's performance translates to Friday night, the 7th/8th grade girls will "have no chance" in beating the top team in the division.
Besides a handful of girls, the bulk of the 7th/8th grade team sleepwalked through the entire game. If it wasn't for the opposition making mistakes, this would not have been a win.
The blame for the lack of motivation in tonight's game cannot be placed on the shoulders of Cynthia, who was named to the CYO Achievement Game earlier in the day.
She was the one person on the team trying to rally the troops, fire them up, play Hunter Pence of the team.
But her efforts fell on deaf ears as nobody followed her lead and instead let her do all the heavy lifting.
After winning the first set, the girls fell behind in the second set, and it took 10 saves from Victoria to bail out a lot of the bad mistakes the rest of the team made.
Aside from Victoria, Ivy and Cynthia, the coaches were not pleased with anybody else's performance.
They will need to shake their bad performance off and bring their best Friday night, because it will be one versus two in a battle of 1st and 2nd place. A win can force a tie-breaker for the division crown, while a loss will cement the 7th/8th graders in second place.
At (6-1), they have a chance to clinch the best St. Mary's volleyball regular season record in the school's modern history with a win.
But if Thursday night was any indication of how they perform Friday night, that record will not be broken.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Cynthia named to CYO Achievement Game
Cynthia, who has played volleyball since 5th grade at St. Mary's, was named to the CYO Achievement Game to represent St. Mary's.
In a game that showcases the top talent from every CYO school in San Francisco, Cynthia will join Olivia, Sally and Marissa as girls who have represented the school in this special game.
After coming up points short of a championship last season, Cynthia has improved her game and has led her team to a (6-1) record so far this season.
She has become a vocal leader that her teammates look to on the court for guidance.
The game will be played Monday night, 6 p.m. at St. Emydius.
In a game that showcases the top talent from every CYO school in San Francisco, Cynthia will join Olivia, Sally and Marissa as girls who have represented the school in this special game.
After coming up points short of a championship last season, Cynthia has improved her game and has led her team to a (6-1) record so far this season.
She has become a vocal leader that her teammates look to on the court for guidance.
The game will be played Monday night, 6 p.m. at St. Emydius.
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