The Cupertino Courier

League well represented in volleyball playoffs

By Dick Sparrer

Don't ever get the idea that the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League isn't a force to be reckoned with in girls' volleyball.

If you don't believe it, just take a look at the pairings in the upcoming Central Coast Section playoffs.

No less than 11 teams from the SCVAL have won berths in post-season play, including all seven from the De Anza Division. Champion St. Francis heads up the cast of seven that also includes Monta Vista, Los Gatos, Homestead, Los Altos, Mountain View, Palo Alto and Mountain View.

El Camino Division champ Lynbrook will advance to CCS along with Cupertino, Milpitas and Gunn from the division.

Monta Vista (21-15) will battle Prospect (17-10) in the first round of the CCS Division II playoffs on Nov. 15, 4 p.m., at Mitty. Sophomores Heather Janssen and Stephanie Knopp and juniors Allison Thee, Laura Fairchild and Anna Abatzoglou lead the attack for the Matadors.

Homestead (14-17) opens play in the same division the same day at 1 p.m. at Westmoor (19-8) at Sacred Heart Prep. Erin Norcia is a top player for the Mustangs.

CCS Division III is filled with five representatives from the SCVAL, including Cupertino and Lynbrook.

The Vikings, who won the division title with a 14-0 record, will take a 27-6 season record up against Mills (16-12) in a first-round game on Nov. 12, 7 p.m., at Lynbrook. Junior Michelle Buffum and senior Susie Perry are top performaers for the Vikings.

Cupertino (16-12) visits Mountain View (16-12) on Nov. 12, 7 p.m., in another first-round match. Junior Erica Boss stars for the Pioneers.

'Tino wrapped up the regular season with a 15-10, 15-9, 15-8 win over Fremont to finish 7-7 in the El Camino Division. The serving of Danica Gardner led the Pioneers to the win.

Earlier in the week Cupertino turned back Wilcox 15-3, 15-4, 16-14. Boss and Denise Stewart had 13 kills apiece and Melanie Rekieta nailed 17 of 17 serves for 13 points.

Kathryn Auch was 12 for 12 serving for nine points, despite coming off of a concussion.

"We dominated Wilcox," said Cupertino coach Marty Redman. "We're playing pretty good volleyball right now."

Monta Vista split in the final week of the regular season to end up 6-6 in the De Anza Division. The Matadors lost 15-8, 15-11, 15-13 to Mountain view, but came back to beat Homestead 15-5, 15-7, 15-7 to avenge a loss earlier in the season.

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