Dons v. Miramonte Matadors

The Dons, fresh off a Campo win came to the Miramonte campus to continue to show the league their style of gritty, tough, never quit volleyball. And the stands had PLENTY of Aca Blue because our fans travel!

Game 1.

Ellie Blanchard kicked off the offense at 1-1 and with an awesome rocket arm serve and support from Meher Jeyakrishnan (and matadors or -#2 who couldn’t stop handle the velocity), Maggie Krackeler and it was 6-2 Dons. 

The one-two punch of Sydney Graves to Maggie Krackeler would prove to be a tough one for the Matadors to handle as point after point was made at the hands of these two. 

Amelia Easley unleashed her own rocket arm and picked up two too hot to handle points. 

Then Sydney Scovic to Ellie pulled their own one two punch and behind Maggie K it was 13-6. 

A spectacular backward set by Sela Sarbiewski and a diving stab by Lourdes Smith were just some of the highlights of the first game. 

But a scary 4 point streak had the Matadors within 3 and coach Alan called a time out. 

Cross court stab by Sela after a one hander by Valeria Toledo gave the rock to Sydney Graves. And a MASSIVE block by Ellie B and it was 17-13 Dons. 

Ellie to Maggie and #14 was rolling her serve. Boom. Ace. Boom. Ace. 22-19 Dons. 

And after a few more (if you can believe it) back and forth the first game came to the Dons 25-22. 

Game 2.

Game two didn’t open as expected and with the Dons down 6-1 coach Alan called a time out. But it wasn’t until Valeria took the ball at 9-1 that the pep talk took effect. Behind strong arm serves and strong support from Maggie, Meher, Juliana Harhay and Sydney Graves, the Dons were within 2. 

The Matadors took a turn at scoring and after the basketball hoop gave Acalanes a hand we were knotted up at 11. 

And then…

12-12

13-12

14-12

And an Ella Chong to Juliana slam!! To make it 15-12!!

Ellie Blanchard full throttle killer smash to get the ball back 16-13. 

And the Dons went in a roll. A sharp, diving save by Stella Larkin kept the ball in play behind Sydney Graves serving and at 20-14Dons the Mats took another two. 

And in a seldom seen soccer move by Valeria kept the ball in and gave it to the dons and what followed was one of the most epic rallies of the season. Everyone touched the ball. I even touched the ball. I mean it was fantastic. But the Mats took the rally.

But…it was followed by ANOTHER epic rally where everyone EXCEPT ME touched the ball and it was in Amelia’s hands 24-18 Dons! 

Boom the net helped secure the W!

The toughness of these girls and their never quit mentality was on full display as they hung in through the whole game to win!