 | | | Sarah Carrasco Photos Gint Federas | | | | | | Campolindo Girls Volleyball once again had a successful season with a 29-10 record overall and going 10-0 in league play.
Having lost six seniors to graduation last season, coach John Leung had to count on this team's seniors even though coming into the season, their experience was limited: "We did well this season. Our seniors stepped up and exceeded my expectations. They did what we asked them to do and I was pleased with the end results."
The Cougars lost in state tournament to Sacred Heart Cathedral 3-0, losing the final game 34-32. Still, Leung praised his team: "The girls fought to the end and never quit."
Leung is not willing to prognosticate as to the type of team he will have next season: "All the kids improved throughout the season but they now have eight months to prepare and train, with many of them playing club volleyball, so I won't know what I have until we get together at the end of next summer."
With a smaller team this year, Campolindo utilized a quicker, up-tempo game but Leung would not commit to that type of offense next season: "We'll adjust to the talents that we have. We have a number of players returning and they understand our system and how we want to run it."
One talent Campolindo will be counting on will be sophomore Audrey Pak who was all-league and MVP this past season.
Junior Sarah Carrasco, the team's libero, will also be counted on for leadership provided a lot of motivation for her teammates by constantly throwing her body all over the court.
Leung anticipates having a young team next year but is not concerned.
Coming off a championship season, Acalanes coach Ernie Rodriguez knew that this was going to be a difficult year with teams looking to knock off the current champion. As Shakespeare said, "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown" (Henry IV, Part II).
With a 31-9 record in the 2016 season, the Dons were going to be hard pressed to match the accomplishments of that team highlighted by a 5 set victory in the championship game. Finishing the 2017 season with an overall record of 13-16, Acalanes had to be satisfied with Rodriguez's preseason goal which was: "I want the players to enjoy our team as a team."
Entering the playoffs with 12-15 record, the Dons defeated Petaluma, who had an 18-6 record coming into the tournament, 3-0.
In the next round of the playoffs, Acalanes took Moreau Catholic to a fifth game, finally succumbing 18-16.
Losing captains Maddie Kalil, Zoe Mc Phail and Theresa Nevins will hurt next year's team but Rodriguez has a corps of underclassmen that he will hope to build around for a more successful 2018 season.
Opening their season with five straight wins, Miramonte approached the rest of the season with great optimism, and head coach Lisa Bachtold was optimistic about the season ahead.
The team crested at 11-4, concluding the season with 16-12 record.
The Matadors won their opening playoff game versus Albany before losing their next two games against Marin Catholic and Los Gatos.
With three top scores on the team returning, Meaghan Hohman (255 kills), Jennifer Giron (168 kills) and Brigette Finger (94 kills), the offense should be a strength of next year's team.
With the graduations of Claire Swan, Elle Taylor and Tati Luevano, Miramonte will be looking toward Kaylyn Goode and Hohman to shore up the defense on the front row.
Lauren Lim with 504 digs, Jennifer Giron with 316 digs and Grace Guidotti 2ith 192 digs should be the foundation for next season's defense.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA