A trio of local scholastic girls volleyball teams are off on the right foot this season.
At La Jolla High, the Lady Vikings under head coach Dave Jones finished third last weekend in the Gold Division at the Lakeland Invitational (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho) with a 4-1 record. La Jolla entered play this week overall at 6-2.
La Jolla’s kill leader was senior Taylor Fallon, who recorded 26 kills and eight blocks. Cameron Smith added 20 kills, 32 digs, six aces and seven blocks. Jennifer Keane contributed 19 kills, 17 digs, seven aces and nine blocks, while Amanda Gordon had nine kills and 23 digs.
Keane was selected to the All-Tournament Team. Additionally, Dana Hoolko vowed the crowd, earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team with 19 aces, 13 kills, 30 digs, six blocks and 61 assists.
The Bishop’s School entered play this week for head coach Tod Mattox with a 2-0 mark.
In action last Monday, the Lady Knights defeated West Hills, 3-0. Bishop’s was led by Julie Gantz with six aces, Nicole Ballon-Landa with eight kills and two blocks, and Ina Kamenova with seven kills.
In action last Friday, Bishop’s defeated Horizon, 3-1. Outstanding players were Ballon-Landa with 15 kills, and Natalia Wrobel with five aces and 33 assists.
Laurel Casey, Bishop’s libero, was excellent in serve receive with 20 perfect passes, according to Mattox.
“We continue to be excited about the season,” Mattox said. “We’ve been practicing well, and we expect to be one of the top teams in the county.”
At La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) School, head coach Peter Ogle and the Lady Torreys got last week off on the right foot with a 3-0 win at Calvin Christian.
“The team was very efficient with the ball, showing great improvement from the weekend,” Ogle said.
Setters Tammy Batzofin and Haley Wilson were reportedly instrumental in the victory. Outside hitters Janae Fulcher, Claire Kaufman, Jessie Hershfield and Grace Murk, and middle hitters Jasmine Edwards and Jordan Krant, were all effective.
One day later, LJCD suffered a tough 3-2 loss to Horizon. According to Ogle, all of the players were giving their best effort and fell just a couple points short of a victory.
LJCD rebounded on Friday and scored a win over Canyon Crest.
“The whole team settled down in the fifth game, passing well, setting consistently and hitting with authority,” Ogle said. “It was a real team effort.”
According to Ogle, defensive players Kenna Foltz and Cheyenne Giesecke were outstanding. Krant and Edwards held the blockers, while outside hitters Kaufman, Andie Sabourin, Murk, Fulcher and Hershfield kept hammering away on the outsides. Setters Mary Mack, Wilson and Batzofin were consistent all day.