|
It was a long day on Saturday for the boys volleyball teams of Leland High School, but luckily for the Chargers it was the varsity that ran out of gas and not the junior varsity.
The varsity squad competed in the Hammering and Roofing Seminar, a single-day tournament at Willow Glen, and managed to win four straight matches to advance to the finals before a pretty Leland group dropped a tough 25-20, 25-23 decision to Mitty. It was the end of a long 10-hour day of volleyball.
The same day, the JVs were heading over the hill to Aptos to compete in a weekend tournament, only to find out when they arrived that the event had been cancelled because of a power outage. The Chargers had plenty of gas for the trip home, though, a good thing considering the snow on the hilltops.
Leland knocked off Aptos, Redwood Christian and Gilroy in pool play at the tourney at Willow Glen, then drew a bye into the semifinals. The Chargers whipped Gilroy again in the semi's, but then lost to Mitty in the title match.
Despite the fact that the Chargers finished second, Scott Lucas won the tourney Most Valuable Player award thanks to his 59 kills and 11 aces on the day. Andrew Atmeh injured his ankle in the finals, but still managed to claim a spot on the all-tourney team. He finished the day with 30 kills.
Coach Jason Hilbert singled out Boris Sanchez as a setter and also singled out Kevin Kashanian, Daniel Ortiz, Seth Anderson and Kenny Tran for strong efforts.
The Chargers, now 9-3 for the year and 2-0 in league play, return to action in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League this week. They were to visit Pioneer on Tuesday and will entertain Gunderson on March 16, 7 p.m.
Leland will host the annual JV Charger Classic on March 18.
The Leland varsity opened league play with wins over Prospect and Branham last week. Justin Plante came off the bench to replace the injured Kashanian and finished with three kills, a "stuff block" and five aces against the Bruins. Lucas was the kill leaders with 16. Kenny Tran, Alex Moon, Atmeh, Ortiz and Anderson were other key players in the win.
The Chargers whipped Prospect 25-12, 25-21, 25-18 on opening night in league play. Lucas was the kill leader with 12 and Kashanian, Atmeh, Ortiz and Seth Anderson were all factors at the net.
|
