Rams stay close in first game but can’t win
Gilroy – Cañada coach Kevin Kramer talked about the frustration of playing against a team like Gavilan.
Rams’ coach Stephanie Pascucci talked about the frustration of doing things well against the Colts, only not enough of them.
Cañada’s frustration level Wednesday was less than Gavilan’s as the Colts swept the Rams 30-26, 30-15, 30-25 at Bud Ottmar Memorial Gymnasium to maintain their hold on second place in the Coast Conference.
“We kind of play to the level of the team we’re playing,” Kramer said after Cañada boosted its overall record to 15-3, 5-2 in the conference. “There were some long rallies. If you don’t put the ball down they keep it in play. They’re a frustrating team to play because they do that to you.”
The Colts used superior play at the net and dug well. Steady Angel vonBardeleben had a strong overall game with 11 kills and 15 digs. Setaita Filikitonga had 10 kills and four aces. Libero Angela Palmeri had 15 digs. Grace Cordero had 48 assists.
Gavilan (5-13 overall, 1-6 in conference) led on three different occasions during the first game, the last at 12-11. Barbie Csore kept the Rams close with three of her six kills and an ace.
Cañada dominated the second game but seemed to let up a little in the third after grabbing a 12-4 lead. While Gavilan never caught up, the Rams did pull within 28-25 before the Colts closed out the match on a Kelly Burke kill and ace.
“We were right there in the first game,” said Gavilan sophomore Heather Harms, who had six kills and four blocks. “That game could have gone either way as well as the third game. I don’t know what it is. We feel like we’re getting closer. We just have to find a way to win.”
Shanna Silveira had seven kills and 10 digs for Gavilan. Jenny Fowles had 18 digs. Brianna Balanesi had 10 digs. Malie Ka’anapu had 39 assists.
“We just lack consistency,” Pascucci said. “We’re making a lot of good plays. We’re coming along. We just have to be more consistent.
“The effort is there. They do work and play hard. It’s frustrating for them not to see results. I just have to remind them they are doing good things.”
