SOMETIMES YOU JUST WAIT ONE DAY‏

UPLAND - If Arrowhead Christian’s intent was to ruin the home debut of the Fighting Lancer varsity team – and who can blame them for wanting to win a volleyball match – they never had a chance. First, they were excellent guests in the new on-campus Lancer gym and as the teams gathered at center court intermingling with each other for the pre-game prayer, not even the net could divide them. The near capacity crowd hushed and everybody knew there was something more important than volleyball being honored in that moment. By the end of the match, no matter who won, that commonality would stay with those players and coaches until they meet again. In that respect, there was no way to ruin anything when Christian schools get together and play as respectfully as these two did on Thursday night.

The JV teams had just played a closely contested match with Western gaining a 3-0 advantage early and working their way through a tight set to win 25-22 on a kill by Freshman Outside Hitter Brook Bernard. In the 2^nd set it was Arrowhead who had the 3-0 advantage but after tying it at 5-5 the Lancers never trailed again. The set was tied at 23-23 late but then an Eagle service error occurred and an Ace by Lancer server Brook Bernard fell untouched on the Arrowhead side to give the JV team their 2^nd consecutive sweep in league play and a 2-0 record.

Anticipation was high when the varsity squad took the court against the #6 team in CIF. Could they hang with them?

For the record, the first point ever won in a varsity volleyball match in the Lancer gym was taken by Western… and it was scored on a kill by Junior Setter/Outside Hitter Taylor Pierini. As the ball soared over the net from the Arrowhead side the Lancer back row passed to the front, a perfect set was placed, Taylor made her trademark leap high off the floor, swung and sent the ball on a frozen rope diagonally across Arrowhead territory to hit untouched in front of the Eagle back row. 1-0. The same scenario unfolded for the 2^nd point. Another Pierini leap and another kill down the near side line. 2-0. The Lancer’s didn’t have a chance to set up the 3^rd point as Senior Middle Blocker Jessica Arguelles jumped up to block an Eagle attack that dropped on their side. 3-0!

An Arrowhead kill on the next point reminded everyone that the Eagles were in the building. The Lancers maintained a comfortable lead until an attack error created a 10-10 tie. Again, the Lancers surged starting with a kill by Senior Setter/Opposite Hitter Chelsea Cramer. But later, a Lancer overpass from the back row created an easy opportunity for a Arrowhead kill and a tie again at 18-18.

Another overpass put Western behind for the first time. After a ball handling error the Lancers trailed 19-21 and were threatened with losing all the momentum they had built. But then, a kill from Junior Libero Brittany Lamon-Parades and a Chelsea Cramer block tied it at 21-21. The Lancers created a set point opportunity after a block by Taylor Pierini and Sophomore Outside Hitter Lyndsey Carruthers making it 24-23 but a Lancer attack error meant that extra points would be required to win this set.

An Eagle service error into the net gave the Lancers a second set point and this one they cashed in on as Pierini came through with another kill.

The crowd cheered at the victory of the first set and all was well in Lancerland. After all, the volleyball program – JV and Varsity - had just won 8 sets in a row without a loss in Christian League play and the varsity squad had just handed Arrowhead their first loss. The Lancers had answered the question of whether or not they could hang with Arrowhead. Question #2: Would they hang with Arrowhead?

The 2^nd set started ominously as Arrowhead gained a 6-0 lead on a kill, 2 aces and 3 Lancer errors. A 7-3 Lancer run brought them as close as 7-9 after a foot fault and rotation violation by the Eagles but after that Arrowhead pulled away to win 25-17. The 3^rd set did not show much Lancer improvement as they gave away 15 points on errors and violations compared to only 4 by Arrowhead who won the set 25-14.

The 4^th set began with an Eagle service error and an ace by Lyndsey but then Arrowhead scored 8 in a row on a kill and 7 Lancer mistakes. The Eagles then outscored Western 12-7 and took a 20-9 lead as the possibility for a Lancer come back in this match looked increasingly slim. But the Lancers weren’t finished yet as the next 3 points were won on a kill by Junior Setter/Opposite Hitter Alexa Cordero and consecutive aces by Taylor Pierini. The Lancers continued to climb back into the set assisted by 2 Chelsea Cramer kills and 1 by Lyndsey Carruthers to make the score 20-22. An Eagle kill, double hit call against the Lancers and an Eagle hitting error took it to 21-24. Pierini leapt high again for an attempted kill which Arrowhead could not have handled but a net violation was called ending the match.

	Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4	Set 5	Final
Arrowhead Christian	24	25	25	25		3
Western Christian	26	17	14	21		1

The loss was disappointing but did provide some encouraging indicators. Certainly the first set victory was one of them but even more important was the resolve the Lancers showed after 2-1/2 sets of error-ridden play. They outscored the Eagles 12-5 over the final points showing once again they can hang with the best but this time they showed they could do it even when all seemed lost.

The following chart illuminates the high cost of errors. (Points earned = points on attacks, aces and blocks; points given away = errors and violations)

	Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4	Set 5	Total
Arrowhead Christian
Points Earned	8	8	10	7		33
Points Given Away	10	10	4	9		33
Western Christian
Points Earned	16	7	10	12		45
Points Given Away	16	17	15	18		66

In the 1^st set Lancer attacks were at least productive enough to offset their errors, while Arrowhead’s were not. But errors in the following 3 sets could not be overcome. Out of the 177 services, the Lancers determined the outcome of 111 points either by successful attacks or errors. The Eagles only determined 66 points. It wasn’t the Eagles who beat the Lancers. The Lancers beat themselves.

Statistics	Kills	Assts	Digs	Recpt	Aces
Alexa	2	1	8	4
Britt	2		24	31
Chelsea	11	19	17	6
Jasmine				1
Jessica	7		6
Kelsey	6
Lyndsey	4	3	8	22	1
Stephanie			1	4
Taylor	14	22	20	6	2
Vicky			3	10

What do you do when dealing with defeat? Sometimes you just wait one day.

On Friday, Western travelled to The Webb Schools in Claremont for a non-league match against this team from the Prep League of Division 3A, one notch above 4AA in which the Lancers compete. The JV squad continued in their winning ways taking their match 2-0, as usual (8 out of 10 matches).

Varsity fell behind 3-0 in the 1^st set but with the help of a Webb service error and 2 Lyndsey Carruthers aces tied it at 3-3. After 3 lead changes the Lancers took the first set 25-22 on a Lyndsey kill. The Webb Gauls came back to take the 2^nd set 25-19. The Lancers played relatively error free in the 3^rd set winning easily 25-15. The final set and match were won when Senior Opposite Hitter Kelsey Doolittle hit a ball that fell on the back line untouched.

	Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4	Set 5	Final
Western Christian	25	19	25	25		3
Webb	22	25	15	20		1

	Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4	Set 5	Total
Western Christian
Points Earned	10	12	17	13		52
Points Given Away	11	13	9	13		46
Webb
Points Earned	11	12	6	7		36
Points Given Away	15	7	8	12		42

The Lancers attack and error comparison between the last three games. Obviously, the Lancers protected their points much better against Webb and Pomona Catholic. They have earned more points than their opponents in all 3 matches.

	PC	Arwhd	Webb	Total
Western
Points Earned	37	45	52	134
Points Given Away	31	66	46	143
Opponent
Points Earned	26	33	36	95
Points Given Away	38	33	42	113
Point Earned = points won on attacks, aces and blocks
Points Given Away = points lost on errors and violations

CHRISTIAN LEAGUE RESULTS FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8

· # 6 Arrowhead Christian d. Western Christian, 3-1

· #8 Ontario Christian d. Loma Linda Academy, 3-0

· #10 Aquinas d. Pomona Catholic, score unknown, rumored to be 3-2

Christian League				Varsity
2009 Varsity Volleyball Standings
School	W	L	Pct.	W	L	Pct.
Aquinas	2	0	1.000	9	0	1.000
Arrowhead Christian	2	0	1.000	7	2	0.778
Western Christian	1	1	0.500	7	3	0.700
Ontario Christian	1	1	0.500	4	9	0.308
Pomona Catholic	0	2	0.000	10	6	0.625
Loma Linda Academy	0	2	0.000	5	7	0.417

Christian League				JV
2009 JV Volleyball Standings
School	W	L	Pct.	W	L	Pct.
Western Christian	2	0	1.000	7	2	0.778
Ontario Christian	2	0	1.000	4	4	0.500
Loma Linda Academy	1	1	0.500	4	3	0.571
Aquinas	0	1	0.000	5	3	0.625
Pomona Catholic	0	1	0.000	2	2	0.500
Arrowhead Christian	0	2	0.000	1	4	0.200

Tuesday, October 13 at Upland – JV, 5:00pm; Varsity, 6:00pm

The Lancers will have another opportunity to capture their first Upland home win on Tuesday when the undefeated #10 Aquinas Falcons come to town. Aquinas is 2-0 in the Christian League having won at Loma Linda (3-0) and against Pomona Catholic (score unknown). The Falcons also have victories against Ramona, Oak Hills, Big Bear, Victor Valley Christian, Notre Dame, Baptist Christian and San Bernardino. 5 of the 9 wins were 3-0 matches. The Lancers and Falcons have no common non-league opponents this year but last year the Falcons did play Webb and lost in 5 sets.

Aquinas is 5-4 against the Lancers over the last 5 years but have won the last 4 contests. Last year at Aquinas the Lancers won one close set and dropped 3 that were not close. Later in the year at home Western lost 3-0 but played the match much more closely losing 2 sets by 2 points and the 3^rd by 3 points.

October 14, 2008 at San Bernardino
	Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4	Set 5	Final
Western Christian	15	25	19	8		1
Aquinas	25	23	25	25		3

October 30, 2008 at Royal Oak
	Set 1	Set 2	Set 3	Set 4	Set 5	Final
Aquinas	25	27	25			3
Western Christian	22	25	23			0

Aquinas went 6-4 in Christian League play in 2008 (13-9 overall) and finished in 3^rd place behind Arrowhead and Ontario. They did advance to the CIF playoffs but lost their 1^st round match against Serra in 5 sets.

CHRISTIAN LEAGUE SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13

· #10 Aquinas at Western Christian

· #8 Ontario Christian at Pomona Catholic

· #6 Arrowhead Christian at Loma Linda

LADY LANCER PROFILE

Kelsey Doolittle

Kelsey is in her senior year at Western Christian and a opposite hitter for the varsity volleyball team. Kelsey has played volleyball for 7 years, including this year, starting in 6^th grade in the Glendora Youth League. She played her 7^th and 8^th grade years at Sonrise Christian School and then 4 years at Western, 2 of those on the varsity squad. She also played two years of JV softball at Western as a catcher and 1^st baseman. Rounding out her extracurricular activities are involvement in Western’s audition singing group Hilltop Faith, participation in worship band and drama. She attends church at the Whittier Church of Christ, where she participates in a praise team. Her father, David, is Director of Purchasing for a packaging company in La Mirada (and a lousy sportswriter!) while her mother, Christy, is a 3^rd grade teacher at Sonrise Christian School (20+ years!). Kelsey’s favorite subject is music and her least favorite is science. She plans to go to college but is undecided as to where although she made trips to Westmont, Pepperdine and Point Loma this summer. When asked “What’s good about Western?” Kelsey responds, “The teachersJ”. You might notice Kelsey way overdressed at the homecoming football game this Friday in Covina. You go Princess!
PHOTOS FROM FRIDAY NIGHT LANCER VICTORY PIZZA PARTY

Sr Setter/Opposite Hitter Chelsea Cramer and Jr Setter/Outside Hitter Taylor Pierini
Jr. Middle Blocker Jasmine Lara and Jr. Setter/Opposite Hitter Alexa Cordero
JV Sophomore Outside/Opposite Hitter Felicity Mayer
Sophomore Outside Hitter Lyndsey Carruthers and Sr. Opposite Hitter Kelsey Doolittle

Sr. Defensive Specialist Stephanie Yeung and Coach Mrs. B

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
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
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

Varsity Roster
No.	Name	Position	Year
2	Gaby Peraza	Defensive Specialist	Sr.
3	Taylor Pierini	Setter/Outside Hitter	Jr.
4	Chelsea Cramer	Setter/Opposite Hitter	Sr.
5	Kelsey Doolittle	Opposite Hitter	Sr.
6	Jessica Arguelles	Middle Blocker	Sr.
8	Brittany Lamon-Parades	Libero	Jr.
9	Alexa Cordero	Setter/Opposite Hitter	Jr.
10	Lyndsey Carruthers	Outside Hitter	Soph.
12	Stephanie Yeung	Defensive Specialist	Sr.
13	Jasmine Lara	Middle Blocker	Jr.
17	Vicky Rorex	Defensive Specialist	Sr.
Head Coach: Dawn Bartholomew
Assisstant Coach: Becca Lewis
Team Statistician: Paige Oldham
Junior Varsity Roster
No.	Name	Position	Year
2	Hannah Rhinehart	Middle Blocker	Soph.
3	Crystal Celaya	Setter/Opposite Hitter	Jr.
5	Christina Oka	Setter	Soph.
6	Brenna Martinez	Opposite Hitter	Fr.
8	Brooke Bernard	Outside Hitter	Fr.
10	Seuhee Han	Middle Blocker	Fr.
12	Felicity Mayer	Outside/Opposite Hitter	Soph.
15	Krystal Alviso	Defensive Specialist	Soph.
18	Leah Dorsey	Middle Blocker	Soph.
Head coach: Missy Perlman
Assistant Coach: Heidi Holmes
Team Statistician: Paige Oldham

Photos by Alex Cordero and David Doolittle.

David Doolittle reporting.