Gilroy – In many ways, it’s been a frustrating season for the second-year Gavilan women’s volleyball team.
And yet, because it is just the second season coach Stephanie Pascucci realizes the Rams are still very much a work in progress. While Gavilan has not learned to win the close games, it keeps getting closer.
Such was the case Wednesday at Bud Ottmar memorial Gymnasium where West Valley College swept the Rams 30-19, 30-22, 30-24. As the score indicates, Gavilan kept getting closer to the Vikings (11-4).
But the score doesn’t tell the story of a second game that was nip-and-tuck, one in which the Rams (4-9) led 21-20 before West Valley closed with a rush.
As usual, Gavilan found itself trying to hang in with defense. Missing 5-8 Heather Harms who was away because of a personal issue, the Rams were even more vertically challenged than usual.
“We did better than I thought we would,” Pascucci said. “We can dig it (the ball) up but we have to be able to put it away. We’re right there. We have the opportunities. We just lack the confidence.”
Jenny Fowles and Malie Ka’anapu combined for 26 digs fo Gavilan, which has dropped four straight matches.
Heidi Steinebrunner had 22 kills and 11 digs, Christie Gillick had 34 assists, 13 digs and eight kills, and Claire Tovar had 22 digs and four aces to lead the Vikings.
“We’re working on being able to spread the ball and become a more offensive team,” West Hills coach Brooke Herald said. “We want to be more consistent and not let it get us down when (opponents) are digging against us.”
