The 2002 Central Coast Section Division V volleyball
championship banner hangs proudly in the Anzar High gymnasium.
Whether this year’s Hawks can repeat the magic of 2002 remains to
be seen. Thursday night’s dynamic Mission Trail Athletic League
triumph over visiting King City went a step in that magical
direction.
The 2002 Central Coast Section Division V volleyball championship banner hangs proudly in the Anzar High gymnasium. Whether this year’s Hawks can repeat the magic of 2002 remains to be seen. Thursday night’s dynamic Mission Trail Athletic League triumph over visiting King City went a step in that magical direction.
The Hawks shocked the Mustangs 25-23, 25-16, 25-22, shocking only because the Hawks had never defeated King City since the inception of the program six years ago.
“I’m not surprised we lost,” said King City head coach Debbie Hudson, who has taken her team to the playoffs 21 straight years. “We beat them in three games at a tournament, but it was tight. We lost five seniors, including Trisha Frudden. We’re struggling this year.”
Frudden was a three-time MTAL MVP. The Hawks were hurt by graduation, as well, in particular Kiely White, now at Dominican University in San Rafael.
The Hawks (4-7, 4-1 MTAL) do have a few players off last year’s CCS DV title team, none more important than middle blocker Treva Crocker, which is a very nice rhyme when one thinks of it. Crocker was in rhymin’ rhythm most of the match against the Mustangs (6-7, 3-3), owning the middle of the net with her 6-foot-1 frame. Crocker, a junior, had a team-high 11 kills, five blocks and three digs.
“Treva is an insane player,” said Chris Wardlaw, co-coaching with Tamara Smith this season. “She’s better this year because she’s had a year of club.”
Another key returnee who has solidified the back row for the Hawks is senior defensive specialist Justine Wiley. Wiley had four aces and six digs.
Leanna Hardy is also back at oustide hitter. Hardy contributed an ace in game one to bring the Hawks within 14-17. The Mustangs regained the momentum, so much that they rambled ahead 23-16. Behind strong serving from Wiley, though, the Hawks made a run. At 20-23, Hudson called time. It was at that point where Crocker took over the game.
She nailed three straight winnners to tie the score as the Mustangs took their final timeout.
Crocker’s kill in the middle of the net brought game point. The Mustangs hit one into the net and the Hawks had set the tone for their big night with an emotional comeback win.
All sorts of delays signified game two. The Hawks were guilty of turning in a different lineup then what took the floor and were assessed a one point penalty to start the game. At 4-3 Hawks, there was a delay for about four minutes as both coaches and both referees discussed who was supposed to be serving for Anzar. Neither team seemed to benefit by the delay in activity. The two teams battled back-and-forth up until 12-12, when the Hawks tied it up on an emphatic block by Crocker.
Two straight aces by Wiley triggered a Hawks run, which had Anzar outscoring the Mustangs 13-4 the rest of the way.
Brittany Conrad, who had six kills and a block that ended game three.
After the match, Wardlaw praised his two young setters – freshman Emily Delisseguess and sophomore Amy Knight.
“Those two setters are amazing,” said Wardlaw. “They’ll just get better and better.”
“We’ve adapted well to these new players,” said Crocker. “I think we can win CCS again.”
The Hawks are at the Carmichael Invitational this Saturday before returning to MTAL play next Tuesday at Soledad.
