The JV volleyball team traveled to Sonoma on Saturday for Sonoma High School’s annual Paganini Invitational.  Dons dominated the long 10 hour day, going 6-0 to bring home the Championship.

Things started out easy enough with some low key matches in the morning pool.  First match was against Justin-Siena.  Dons jumped out to an early 13-5 lead driven by an amazing 5 point serving run by ace queen Emma Johnson. Defense was also solid all day behind an almost flawless Kira Wood wearing the libero jersey.  Dons took both sets easily 25-10, 25-7.  Next up was St. Helena who were put away quickly by the Dons as well.  Coming alive after a summer injury was Tate Huisingh, painting the end line for a few kills.  Not to be outdone, Hanna Hageboeck did some damage of her own pounding some hits and earning herself her own chant of “she’s a freshman!”.  Carly Coffee added some points with a long serving run and nice kill to the back corner that wasn’t coming back.  St. Helena fell 25-11, 25-14.  The third match against Liberty was a bit more of a challenge, taking Acalanes to 3 sets.  Liberty jumped to an early lead and it was the Dons fighting to stay in it.  A nice save by Autumn Long brought score to 10-14, but Dons never caught up and lost 18-25.  Rachel Zhang came out fighting 2nd set with a 5 point serving run.  Alara Rose earning the nickname ‘the Roofer’ was on fire all day, blocking attacks at the net.  Opposite hitter Gianna Manzone ended the set with decisive kill and Dons took it 25-15.  The 3rd set was not a disappointment with more aggressive play by Rose and a beautifully executed pancake save by Zhang. A Huisingh kill finished it 15-10 and Dons moved into the gold bracket.

The 4th match was the biggest challenge of the day against a very disciplined Cardinal Newman team.  The Dons got out to a slow start and went down quickly 2-9.  The Dons pulled it together with some solid setting by Mara Korzeniowska.  The Mara set to middle Maya Paul turned out to be the winning combination to get the Dons back in it. Zhang served 7 straight and Dons went back on top 25-21.  In the 2nd set Cardinal Newman had clearly made some adjustments, and its game on. Natalie Marsh came into serve for 3 quick points and an ace.  Chloe Wu provided solid defense with some amazing saves, but it’s not enough and Dons lose 2nd set 17-25.  The 3rd set was neck and neck. It was a true team effort by the Dons with everyone bringing their ‘A game’. Dons take it 15-11.  The Semifinal match versus home team Sonoma High was another battle.  Manzone was on fire with two more kills.  More ‘she’s a freshman!’ chants ring out as Hageboeck was a force swinging and blocking. Sonoma doesn’t know what hit them .. Acalanes wins 25-16, 25-10. Dons move into the finals against Albany.

Here we go for the title. Play by play: Zhang serving 3 in a row is a good start. Huisingh swinging for the fences with another kill. Everyone is contributing today. Albany gets stuffed by Rose. Two Coffee saves on defense help the cause. Hageboeck comes into serve for 5 more points. Johnson kills it down the line and 1st set is over, 25-18 Dons. In the 2nd set, Wu starts Dons defense out strong with a great dig. Johnson has perfect placement with a tip to the hole in the middle.  Wood continues her standout performance with more saves.  The Dons jump to a comfortable lead 22-13.  But wait a minute.. Albany isn’t giving up.  In a very impressive 9 point run, Albany closes the lead to 23-22. The Dons are able to keep it together and the Roofer comes through to end it 25-22.  Emma Johnson is named tournament MVP, and Rachel Zhang is named all-tournament.  The Dons head home tired, victorious and feeling good about Tuesday’s upcoming match against the team from Moraga. Lets go Dons!!!