 | | | Lauren Budde and MacKenzie Brown Photos Gint Federas | | | | | | After a strong start in the NCS playoffs, the Lamorinda volleyball teams were unable to take home a championship. All three schools qualified, and Campolindo even advanced to the CIF State Tournament. Miramonte was ousted in the second round of the NCS. Acalanes lost in the semifinals.
On Nov. 19, Campolindo hosted the Dons in the semifinals. A powerhouse, Campolindo (29-7) had not lost a set in the NCS playoffs and had already swept No. 4 Acalanes (23-8) during the regular season.
In the match, the Dons looked to senior Molly Dalziel, who had seven kills in the first set. Acalanes' junior Hannah Roberts and senior Dory Grobeck both served well for the Dons. Despite the tough play from Acalanes, Campolindo managed to hang on to beat the Dons 25-22 in the first set.
The second set belonged solely to the Cougars, who utilized multiple kills by Yale-bound senior Kelly Wirth and junior Emma Johnson to win 25-16. Acalanes put up a fight in the third set, but it was not enough and Campolindo recorded the sweep.
While content with his semifinal win, head coach John Vuong was eager to play No. 3 seed Sonoma Valley in the final.
"After the win, we needed to be mentally tough and put all of our focus on the upcoming performance," said Vuong.
In the NCS finals on Nov. 22, Wirth was a dominant force. Early in the first set, she had one spike from the back of the court that seemed to make its way through three different Sonoma defenders. However, the Cougars lost the first set 21-25.
"Sonoma played better defense and had fewer digs than us, especially early in the game," said Vuong of the match.
Campolindo dropped the second set 21-25. In a must-win third set, Campolindo took control. A hard hit from senior Lauren Budde ensured that Sonoma would not sweep the match. Campo pulled out the 25-21 win.
In the fourth set, Campolindo took a quick lead with a pair of kills by sophomore Sabrina Smith, but could not hang on. They lost 25-23.
Despite the loss in the final, the Cougars still earned a spot in the CIF State Championship Tournament. "Despite the tough loss, our team played well, and the players are excited as we look towards the state championship tournament," said Vuong.
Campolindo was given the No. 6 seed and played No. 3 El Camino High of San Francisco. Although they jumped out to an early lead, winning the first set 25-20, the Cougars lost the next three sets.
Although the score of the final game did not reflect their dominance, the Cougars' season was truly remarkable. They finished the season 29-9.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA