On Saturday, the second seed Acalanes Dons traveled to the College of Marin to take on the top seed Branson Bulls in the NCS championship game.
The Bulls had dispensed with the Dons earlier in the season, winning in straight sets 3 games to 0. Now, with an NCS title on the line, the Dons were eager for a rematch, and came out ready to compete. The level of volleyball was very high and the crowd of about 150 fans was treated to an awesome display of effort, athleticism, teamwork and sportsmanship by both squads. Unfortunately, the Dons were unable to get past the Bulls.
Here is a recap of Saturday’s action:
0-4 The Dons started off slowly
2-4 Madi Risch kill
3-5 Risch kill
4-5 Erin Meade kill
5-7 Meade kill
6-7 Kaylinn Hiatt good serve Lane Webster tough set Risch kill
7-7 Hiatt ace; Hiatt continuing her strong serving from the NCS semis
9-9 Mackenzie Sauer kill
10-10 Kylie Wood kill
11-11 Webster dig Kennedy Cornish tip
12-14 Meade kill
13-14 Risch kill
14-14 lift
15-14 Cornish Meade block, first lead for the Dons!
16-14 incredible rally Risch with the kill; timeout Branson; unfortunately the timeout works…
18-19 Wood kill
19-20 Wood kill
20-25 Branson takes over down the stretch
—
1-3 Cornish block
1-9 Yikes
2-9 Elena Needs with the kill
3-9 Needs serves then digsCornish tip
4-11 Risch kill
5-11 Cornish ace
7-12 Hiatt ace, Hiatt’s serving sparks a Dons rally
8-12 Needs kill
9-12 Risch kill
9-12 timeout Branson
10-12 Needs off roof ricochet
Webster great play to get Dons the point
11-14 Wood tip
13-15 Needs kill
14-18 Cornish block
15-25 the Bulls again close strong
—
Game 3:
1-1 Cornish kill
2-1 Risch kill
4-5 Needs back row kill
5-6 Risch kill
11-11 Cornish kill
12-13 Olivia Elliott kill
13-15 Risch through the block for the kill
14-16 Risch kill
15-16 Hiatt ace
15-19 timeout Dons
16-21 Risch kill
18-23 Cornish
19-23 Elliott block
21-25 Branson takes the title
Since Acalanes advanced to the Final Four of the NCS Division III bracket, they have qualified for the 2019 CIF State Playoff. On Sunday, the Dons were informed that they had been moved up to the Division II bracket of CIF playoffs, as a #10 seed. Oddly enough, their familiar foe Branson was also moved up, as a #7 seed, and will be the Dons’ opponent on Tuesday November 12th at 6pm at Branson. Bracket below: