The Acalanes Boys Varsity Volleyball team headed to Deer Valley High School early in the morning on March 4th for the Wolverines Tournament
Maybe it was the early hour, too little sleep, or playing in the tight confines of a community center, but our team started pool play a little sluggish against Alameda who competed hard against the Dons and took advantage of some uncharacteristically missed serves and passes. But the Dons focused enough in a third set to clinch their first match. Mission San Jose was up next and again our Dons started slowly in the first set against this scrappy team, but then started to pick up their game to take the next two sets and the momentum was starting.
Having won the pool, the team moved over to the Deer Valley gym and with almost no break, the Dons took on Oakland High School who were hoping for an upset in bracket play, but our Dons started getting into a groove with more aggressive serving, scrappy defense, lethal middle and pin attacks, and high energy and quickly swept the Matadors in straight sets.
In the Quarterfinals, the Dons took on a hyped Clayton Valley team that had just taken out Pittsburg in three close sets, and it was a battle from the first point as the gym was rocking. The first set went back and forth as the Dons fought back against a spirited Clayton Valley attack to counterattack and pressure the Ugly Eagles and took the close first set 25-23. While one may have expected the next set to be more of the same, our Dons would have none of it as they asserted their will through laser serves, precise setting and knockdown attacks, solo and assisted blocks, and terrific bench energy to take the second set easily for a key sweep.
The Semifinals brought on league rival Las Lomas who played with confidence behind their effective pins, but the Dons made some adjustments and unleashed key attacks from pins, Joseph Castelli, Liam Hill, Misha Stewart, and Maddox Malm, along with middle attacks and critical blocks from Evan Sverak and Joe Colachico, as well as a signature solo stuff by Joseph Castelli on Las Lomas’ top outside hitter. With additional great serving and setting from Aaron Alvira and Miles Thomas, along with aggressive defense led by Matt Law, Las Lomas was kept off balance and went down in straight sets.
The Dons entered the finals against a Washington High team that had just outlasted pre-tournament favorite, Castro Valley, in a thrilling third set 21-19, so emotions were running high on their side. In an up-and-down first set, the Dons tried to regain their rhythm and managed to get up 24-22 with the service; but after a Washington timeout, the Dons lost their focus temporarily and ended up losing the set 24-26. In the huddle though, there was a confidence that we’d been here before earlier in the day and there was no reason to panic but that it was time to speed up the game and play Dons volleyball. And the Dons did just that. From the start of the second set, the Dons delivered several serving runs by Miles Thomas, Liam Hill, and Evan Sverak combined with a withering, balanced attack from Joseph Castelli, Joe Colachico, Misha Stewart, Maddox Malm, and Liam Hill off of targeted sets from Aaron Alvira and Miles Thomas. Matt Law also anchored a more focused serve-receive and an effective defensive line to deny the Huskies. The Huskies tried subbing several players and using their timeouts to slow down the match, but the Dons ran away with the second set 25-15. The momentum was on the Dons’ side though, and they quickly overwhelmed the Huskies to easily win the third set and take the match and the Championship with an undefeated record!
This was a total team effort, with additional important contributions during the tournament from Griffin Ruebner (right-side hitter), Justin Law (defensive and serving specialist), and Avyn Morales (middle hitter). The Dons also benefitted from the relentless loud cheering and support from those on injured/sick reserve—Liam Stancik, Douglas Roberts, and Ben Whiting. The team was led by Head Coach, Alexis Hammer, and Assistant Coach, Alan Go.
Congratulations to the Dons on this early-season tournament victory!