The JV Girls Volleyball had an up and down week as they continued in league play. On Tuesday, the team made the long, difficult trip to Walnut Creek to take on the Los Lomas Knights. The Dons, tired from the arduous travel, the rigors of school and distant memories of homecoming festivities, quickly fell behind 7-1 in the first set. Coach Alan Go was forced to call a timeout to help the girls reset. Unfortunately, the Knights grew their lead to 18-6 and mercifully closed the first set out 25-13.
It appeared as if the girls were in for a very quick afternoon of volleyball, but a completely different team showed up for the 2nd set. Fans were left wondering what type of Rudy-like speech was delivered by Coach Alan, as the Dons jumped out to an 11-3 lead, led by excellent serving by Amelia Easley and Abby Haimovici. The girls never took their foot off the pedal and cruised to a 25-13 win.
The Dons’ fans, who travel incredibly well and look good doing so, were reeling. No one in the gym knew what to expect for the third set as the Jekyll & Hyde Dons took the floor. After a sideout to start, two kills by sophomore Meher Jeyakrishnan gave the Dons a 3 – 2 lead. Three unforced errors allowed the Knights to open up a 6-4 advantage. The Dons clawed back to a 7-7 tie, but 3 quick points by Los Lomas allowed the Knights to open up a lead that the Dons couldn’t overcome. They fell 15-10 to the Knights in the 3rd set – but the Dons gave themselves a chance after their slow start and left learning that if they didn’t let their errors stack, they could have easily left with a win.
Thursday night, the Dons hosted the Miramonte Mats – an admittedly weird abbreviation for Matadors that could leave Miramonte open for ridicule with a less mature sports writer. While the Dons started the first set down 0-4, they racked up five consecutive points to take the lead, and never relinquished control of the first set. They ended 25-19. The second set was back and forth, tied at 16, until Francesca Barbano served the Dons to a 3 point lead to provide a much needed cushion. Freshman Abby Haimovici served the last three points, and ended on a decisive ace to close out the match.
With the loss on Tuesday and the win on Thursday, the JV girls are 1-2 in league play – with a lot of volleyball left to play this season.
Photo Credit: Carly Tabak