UPLAND – The Western Christian varsity volleyball team returned to action on Tuesday night in search of their first victory in the newly dedicated Lancer gym. The game was begun with a prayer by Board Member Keith Doolittle, uncle of Senior Opposite Hitter Kelsey Doolittle to request God’s blessings on the use of the facility for years to come as countless teams gather in the spirit of good sportsmanship.
The JV Lady Lancers (3-0, 9-2 overall) had already secured their win against the Aquinas Falcons to maintain a perfect undefeated record in league play, although they broke a string of 3 consecutive 2-0 matches in the process. The 1st set was won when Sophomore Middle Blocker Leah Dorsey hit a ball down the near sideline for a kill. The Lancers fell behind early in the 2nd set, 2-9 but eventually used a 5 point run capped by a kill from Junior Setter/Opposite Hitter Crystal Celaya to tie the score at 15-15. But, the Falcons took a 20-17 lead after a string of Lancer errors and won 25-22 on a Lancer service error.
In the tie breaker, the score was tied at 5-5 on a kill by Sophomore Outside/Opposite Hitter Felicity Mayer who then proceeded to serve up the next 5 points. With an 11-5 lead the match ended after 7 consecutive points scored on errors gave the Lancers a 15-8 win, set and match.
The JV squad hung on to a first place tie with Ontario Christian, although the Lancers have the best overall record. Congratulations! Way to go JV!!!
Christian League | JV | |||||
2009 JV Volleyball Standings | ||||||
School | W | L | Pct. | W | L | Pct. |
Western Christian | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 9 | 2 | 0.818 |
Ontario Christian | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 5 | 4 | 0.556 |
Loma Linda Academy | 2 | 1 | 0.667 | 5 | 3 | 0.625 |
Aquinas | 1 | 2 | 0.333 | 6 | 4 | 0.600 |
Pomona Catholic | 0 | 3 | 0.000 | 2 | 4 | 0.333 |
Arrowhead Christian | 0 | 3 | 0.000 | 3 | 4 | 0.429 |
The Varsity Lancers (2-1, 8-3) next took the court to face an undefeated opponent. The #10 Varsity Falcons were 2-0 in league play and 9-0 overall to begin the match. Moreover, the Falcons carried a 4-match winning streak against the Lancers into the contest. The Falcons jumped out to a 3-1 lead and maintained it until Western tied it 7-7 on consecutive kills by Sophomore Outside Hitter Lyndsey Carruthers. After the score was tied again at 10-10 on a Falcon kill, the Lancers sprinted forward, outscoring Aquinas 15-4 to take the first set on a block and a kill by Senior Middle Blocker Jessica Arguelles.
The Falcons rebounded by taking the 1st 3 points of set 2, including 2 aces, but after the Lancers caught them at 4-4, Western never looked back and dominated the 2nd set as well winning 25-13. Would winning against an undefeated league opponent really be so easy?!
No. The Falcons seemed to wake up for the 3rd set and kept the score within 2 points through a 9-9 tie. The Falcons then scored 5 in a row on 2 aces, a kill, and Lancer lift and net violations to lead 9-14. The Lancers caught them at 17-17 and again at 20-20 but then 4 Western errors gave Aquinas their 1st set point of the night. The Lancers almost hung on anyway after a Kelsey Doolittle kill, a block by Taylor and Jessica and a net call against the Falcons brought the Lancers within 1 point at 23-24. But an Aquinas kill that fell untouched between the back row gave the Falcons the set.
Amongst the scary things that can happen during a volleyball match is winning the 1st 2 sets and then losing momentum. This is especially unnerving when your beloved team starts out the 4th set in a 1-7 hole as happened. Could this match that had started out with Lancer domination be lost? Could the match be left in the hands of a finicky 15-point tie breaker with Western in a 2 set slump?
The Lancers climbed back into the set after kills by Taylor and Junior Setter/Opposite Hitter Alexa Cordero and a block by Kelsey brought the Lancers within 3 at 5-8. Eventually an ace by Junior Libero Brittany Lamon-Parades tied the score at 11-11. The Lancers then surged ahead on an 8-2 run including 2 more Taylor kills and a Taylor/Jessica block to lead 19-13. With momentum firmly back in place the Lancers extended the lead to a 24-17 set point. But the thrills were not quite over after 4 of their set points were expired on a Falcon block and 3 Western errors. At 24-21, a set by Senior Setter/Opposite Hitter Chelsea Cramer to Taylor Pierini for the kill ended the match.
Taylor led in kills with 16. Brittany added 2 service aces and 35 digs to the effort. Chelsea and Lyndsey had 10 kills; Chelsea with 27 assists. The victory against #10 Aquinas was the Lancers first against a ranked opponent this season.
How was the 3rd set let down explained? “They forgot what they can do?”, Coach Mrs. B said. “They forgot what they just did.” The Lancers don’t need to forget anymore. They can turn this performance in for another confidence upgrade. Notice to the rest of the league: Western Christian is back!
Statistics | Kills | Assts | Digs | Recpt | Serves | Aces |
Alexa | 5 |
| 8 | 1 | 18 | 1 |
Britt |
| 1 | 35 | 29 | 17 |
|
Chelsea | 10 | 27 | 9 | 1 | 13 | 1 |
Jasmine |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jessica | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| 17 |
|
Kelsey | 4 | 1 | 2 |
|
|
|
Lyndsey | 10 |
| 12 | 19 | 13 | 2 |
Stephanie |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Taylor | 16 | 18 | 12 | 2 | 19 | 1 |
Vicky |
| 1 | 7 | 7 |
|
|
| Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
Aquinas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Points Earned | 7 | 6 | 10 | 7 |
| 30 |
Points Given Away | 10 | 13 | 9 | 10 |
| 42 |
Western Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Points Earned | 15 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
| 56 |
Points Given Away | 7 | 7 | 15 | 14 |
| 43 |
| PC | Arwhd | Webb | Aquinas | Total |
Western | 6-Oct | 8-Oct | 9-Oct | 13-Oct |
|
Points Earned | 37 | 45 | 52 | 56 | 190 |
Points Given Away | 31 | 66 | 46 | 43 | 186 |
Opponent |
|
|
|
|
|
Points Earned | 26 | 33 | 36 | 30 | 125 |
Points Given Away | 38 | 33 | 42 | 42 | 155 |
Point Earned = points won on attacks, aces and blocks | |||||
Points Given Away = points lost on errors and violations | |||||
CHRISTIAN LEAGUE RESULTS FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13
· Western Christian d. #10 Aquinas, 3-1
· Ontario Christian d. Pomona Catholic, 3-2
· #8 Arrowhead Christian d. Loma Linda Academy, 3-0
Christian League | Varsity | |||||
2009 Varsity Volleyball Standings | ||||||
School | W | L | Pct. | W | L | Pct. |
Arrowhead Christian | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | 8 | 2 | 0.800 |
Aquinas | 2 | 1 | 0.667 | 9 | 1 | 0.900 |
Western Christian | 2 | 1 | 0.667 | 8 | 3 | 0.727 |
Ontario Christian | 2 | 1 | 0.667 | 5 | 9 | 0.357 |
Pomona Catholic | 0 | 3 | 0.000 | 10 | 7 | 0.588 |
Loma Linda Academy | 0 | 3 | 0.000 | 5 | 8 | 0.385 |
CIF-SS Division 4AA Rankings |
| |
per October 12 coaches poll | Prev | |
1 | Whittier Christian | 1 |
2 | St Margaret’s | 2 |
3 | Sage Hill | 4 |
4 | Windward | 7 |
5 | Viewpoint | 9 |
6 | Laguna Blanca | 3 |
7 | Calvary Murrieta | 5 |
8 | Arrowhead Christian | 6 |
9 | Paraclete | N/R |
10 | Aquinas | 10 |
The latest CIF division 4AA top 10 poll, released on Monday, shows Whittier Christian, St. Margaret’s and Aquinas holding firm to their rankings as #1, #2 and #10 respectively while there was shuffling amongst the #3 through #9 spots. Most notably, Ontario Christian has been dropped from the top 10 and Arrowhead Christian has slid 2 spots to #8. Paraclete, an opponent of Western’s from the Pasadena Poly Tournament, has made its first appearance in the rankings at #9. Calvary Murrieta, another Lancer opponent, continued to drop and is now at #7.
Lancer parents need to remember that NO food of any kind is allowed in the Lancer gym! J
Thursday, October 15, 2009 in Loma Linda – JV, 5:00pm; Varsity, 6:00pm
The Loma Linda Academy Roadrunners Varsity volleyball team has had a rough go of things early in Christian League play. All they were asked to do was start off against the 3 teams in the league ranked in the top 10. The result was 3 losses. Now, they host upstart Western Christian for their 3rd home league game out of 4. They’ll pay for this later with a string of 4 out of 5 games on the road.
Aside from Aquinas and Arrowhead Christian the Roadrunners and Lancers have played no common opponents this year. The Lancers played Arrowhead to a 3-1 loss. The Roadrunners lost in 3 sets, and it wasn’t close at 25-7, 25-9, 25-21. The Roadrunners lost to Aquinas in 4 sets while the Lancers beat them in 4.
Loma Linda is 0-3 in league play so far this year and 4-8 overall having competed against Twentynine Palms (L), Big Bear (L), Vista del Lago (L), Escondido Adventist Academy (W), Orangewood Academy (W), San Diego Academy (W), Riverside Christian (L), Linfield Christian (L) and La Sierra Academy (W).
The Lancers have won 4 out of the last 10 matches against the Roadrunners, including the two played last year, both by a margin of 3 sets to 1. In the first game at Royal Oaks, the Lancers took the exciting first set with extra points 26-24 and then bookended a dismal 25-11 loss in the 3rd set with 2nd and 4th set victories. Late in the season at Loma Linda the Lancers lost the first set 25-19 back came back strong to win the final 3.
October 16, 2008 at Royal Oak | ||||||
Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Final | |
Loma Linda Academy | 24 | 21 | 25 | 20 |
| 1 |
Western Christian | 26 | 25 | 11 | 25 |
| 3 |
November 4, 2008 at Loma Linda | ||||||
Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Final | |
Western Christian | 19 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| 3 |
Loma Linda Academy | 25 | 16 | 23 | 18 |
| 1 |
The Roadrunners completed the 2008 season with a 3-7 league record, same as Western’s, and 9-9 overall.
While the players and coaches need to focus on the game plan for Loma Linda (so stop reading now if you are here – you shouldn’t be!), the fans are free to look ahead and ponder what may be unfolding before our eyes. As league play began, I was just hoping we could continue the upward trend from the previous two years – 2-8 in 2007, 3-7 in 2008 – and get 4 wins. Now, it is very possible that goal can be checked off the bucket list at the halfway point. You’ll notice that smile on your face continuing to broaden with each game – that’s because there will be more W’s. Next Tuesday, you’ll be sitting in Lancerland (this author’s nomination for a name for the Lancer gym) and say, Did that just happen? Did I just see that? Did we just beat OC? Who ARE those girls?!
Then, you’ll start asking, So, how many teams do they let in to the playoffs from each league? Fact: There were 3 from the Christian League in 2008. Hmmmm….ok. Then, comes the road trip to Redlands to face Arrowhead for the 2nd time. Could that be a de facto league championship game? At this time, 4 teams control their own destiny for the league championship – Arrowhead, Western, OC and Aquinas – although all but Arrowhead can only guarantee a share of the league title. Things will shake out as Aquinas and OC hook up tomorrow night and the Lancers and OC on Tuesday night. A week from Tuesday in Redlands will be big. It might be very big.
No matter what happens at Arrowhead, we’ll play 3 more games after that, 2 of them on the road. At some point, you’ll say, you know, it really doesn’t matter if they let 2 teams in from our league or 3. And, one of these Mondays when the coaches poll top 10 is released you’ll celebrate and say well-look-who’s-there. Then will come the league finale in Ontario. I won’t spoil the outcome of that game for you but let’s just say it won’t be our last match. Hang on and enjoy the ride!
Loma Linda Academy is located at 10656 Anderson Street in Loma Linda. Take the 10 freeway East to Anderson Street. Turn right (South).
CHRISTIAN LEAGUE SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15
· Western Christian at Loma Linda Academy
· #10 Aquinas at Ontario Christian
· Pomona Catholic at #8 Arrowhead Christian
LADY LANCER PROFILE
Lyndsey Carruthers
Lyndsey is a Sophomore at Western Christian and an outside hitter for the Varsity volleyball team. Having played for 5 years between school and club ball, she is in her second year of varsity play. She previously attended Little Western. Born in Fontana, Lyndsey attends Pomona First Baptist Church. Her father Jeff, works for AAA Property Services and stepmother (????Dawn help????) Sabrina is an employee of Southwest Airlines. Lyndsey’s favorite subject is History and her least favorite is Chemistry. After high school she plans to attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. When asked “What’s good about Western?” Lyndsey replies, “The team bonding is amazing” (editors note: hmmm… not so bad at “chemistry” after all!), “and I have a lot of classes with friends.” 3 of her mottos: 1) “I play for God, my family and friends”, 2) Phil 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and 3) “It doesn’t matter what happens, you just have to keep going.” Editors note: The team and fans appreciate Lyndsey’s obvious maturity coming from the youngest player on the team. Keep flying high Lyndsey!
PHOTOS FROM MEET THE TEAMS NIGHT IN CLAREMONT
VARSITY SCHEDULE / RESULTS
Date | Day | Opponent | Site | Time | Results | Record |
8-Sep | Tuesday | Walnut | Walnut | 3:15pm | L, 0-3 | scrimmage |
10-Sep | Thursday | University Prep | cancelled | |||
12-Sep | Saturday | Pasadena Poly Tournament | ||||
15-Sep | Tuesday | Calvary Murrieta | Club West | 6:00pm | L, 1-3 | 0 - 1 |
17-Sep | Thursday | Bell-Jeff | Club West | 6:00om | W, 3-0 | 1 - 1 |
19-Sep | Saturday | Arcadia Tournament | ||||
19-Sep | Saturday | Arcadia | Arcadia |
| L, 0-2 | 1 - 2 |
19-Sep | Saturday | Hemet | Arcadia |
| W, 2-0 | 2 - 2 |
19-Sep | Saturday | South Pasadena | Arcadia |
| W, 2-0 | 3 - 2 |
22-Sep | Tuesday | Acad for Aca Excel | Club West |
| W, 3-0 | 4 - 2 |
25-Sep | Friday | Calvary Downey | Downey | 5:00pm | W, 3-1 | 5 - 2 |
6-Oct | Tuesday | Pomona Catholic | Damien | 6:00pm | W, 3-0 | 1-0, 6-2 |
8-Oct | Thursday | Arrowhead Christian | Upland | 6:00pm | L, 3-1 | 1-1, 6-3 |
9-Oct | Friday | Webb | Webb | 5:30pm | W, 3-1 | 1-1, 7-3 |
13-Oct | Tuesday | Aquinas | Upland | 6:00pm | W, 3-1 | 2-1, 8-3 |
15-Oct | Thursday | Loma Linda Academy | Loma Linda | 6:00pm |
|
|
20-Oct | Tuesday | Ontario Christian | Upland | 6:00pm |
|
|
22-Oct | Thursday | Pomona Catholic | Upland | 6:00pm |
|
|
27-Oct | Tuesday | Arrowhead Christian | Arrowhead | 6:00pm |
|
|
29-Oct | Thursday | Aquinas | Aquinas | 6:00pm |
|
|
3-Nov | Tuesday | Loma Linda Academy | Upland | 6:00pm |
|
|
5-Nov | Thursday | Ontario Christian | Ontario | 6:00pm |
|
|
JV SCHEDULE / RESULTS
Date | Day | Opponent | Site | Time | Results | Record |
8-Sep | Tuesday | Walnut | Walnut |
|
| scrimmage |
10-Sep | Thursday | University Prep | cancelled | |||
15-Sep | Tuesday | Calvary Murrieta | Club West |
| W, 2-0 | 1 - 0 |
17-Sep | Thursday | Bell-Jeff | Club West |
| W, 2-0 | 2 - 0 |
19-Sep | Saturday | Gladstone Tournament | ||||
19-Sep | Saturday | Duarte | Gladstone |
| W, 2-0 | 3 - 0 |
19-Sep | Saturday | Ontario | Gladstone |
| W, 2-0 | 4 - 0 |
19-Sep | Saturday | Maranatha | Gladstone |
| L, 1- 2 | 4 - 1 |
22-Sep | Tuesday | Acad for Aca Excel | Club West |
| W, 2-0 | 5 - 1 |
25-Sep | Friday | Calvary Downey | Downey | 5:00pm | L, 0-2 | 5 - 2 |
6-Oct | Tuesday | Pomona Catholic | Damien | 5:00pm | W, 2-0 | 1-0, 6-2 |
8-Oct | Thursday | Arrowhead Christian | Upland | 5:00pm | W, 2-0 | 2-0, 7-2 |
9-Oct | Friday | Webb | Webb | 4:30pm | W, 2-0 | 2-0, 8-2 |
13-Oct | Tuesday | Aquinas | Upland | 5:00pm | W, 2-1 | 3-0, 9-2 |
15-Oct | Thursday | Loma Linda Academy | Loma Linda | 5:00pm |
|
|
20-Oct | Tuesday | Ontario Christian | Upland | 5:00pm |
|
|
22-Oct | Thursday | Pomona Catholic | Upland | 5:00pm |
|
|
27-Oct | Tuesday | Arrowhead Christian | Arrowhead | 5:00pm |
|
|
29-Oct | Thursday | Aquinas | Aquinas | 5:00pm |
|
|
3-Nov | Tuesday | Loma Linda Academy | Upland | 5:00pm |
|
|
5-Nov | Thursday | Ontario Christian | Ontario | 5:00pm |
|
|
USC VS. UCLA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 7:00PM
UCLA defeats USC last Friday in 3 sets at Pauley Pavilion! Nov 6 will be a grudge match!
October 9, 2009 at Pauly Pavilion | |||||||||||||
Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Final | ||||||||
USC | 25 | 20 | 22 |
|
| 0 | |||||||
UCLA | 27 | 25 | 25 |
|
| 3 | |||||||
PAC-10 WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS |
| ||||||||||||
| Conference | Overall |
| ||||||||||
Team | W | L | Pct | W | L | Pct |
| ||||||
Washington | 5 | 1 | 0.833 | 15 | 1 | 0.938 |
| ||||||
Stanford | 4 | 1 | 0.800 | 11 | 4 | 0.733 |
| ||||||
UCLA | 3 | 2 | 0.600 | 13 | 5 | 0.722 |
| ||||||
Arizona | 3 | 3 | 0.500 | 14 | 3 | 0.824 |
| ||||||
Washington State | 3 | 3 | 0.500 | 14 | 3 | 0.824 |
| ||||||
Oregon | 2 | 3 | 0.400 | 12 | 3 | 0.800 |
| ||||||
USC | 2 | 3 | 0.400 | 13 | 4 | 0.765 |
| ||||||
Oregon State | 2 | 3 | 0.400 | 11 | 6 | 0.647 |
| ||||||
California | 2 | 3 | 0.400 | 9 | 6 | 0.600 |
| ||||||
Arizona State | 1 | 5 | 0.167 | 11 | 7 | 0.611 |
| ||||||
NCAA Women's Volleyball | |
AVCA Coaches Poll | |
1 | Penn St. |
2 | Texas |
3 | Hawaii |
4 | Washington |
5 | Stanford |
6 | Minnesota |
7 | Nebraska |
8 | Kentucky |
9 | Florida |
10 | Illinois |
11 | Michigan |
12 | UCLA |
13 | Iowa St. |
14 | California |
15 | Oregon |
16 | USC |
17 | Florida State |
18 | Arizona |
19 | Baylor |
20 | St. Louis |
21 | UC Irvine |
22 | Texas A&M |
23 | San Diego |
24 | LSU |
25 | Long Beach State |
Photos by Alex Cordero and David Doolittle
David Doolittle reporting.
No comments:
Post a Comment