Two days after earning its first win in Mission Trail Athletic
League play, the Anzar High girls volleyball team compiled a 1-2
record Saturday at the Mount Madonna Invitational in
Watsonville.
WATSONVILLE
Two days after earning its first win in Mission Trail Athletic League play, the Anzar High girls volleyball team compiled a 1-2 record Saturday at the Mount Madonna Invitational in Watsonville.
Opening with a three-game (25-21, 18-25, 16-14) victory over Scotts Valley, the Hawks lost in two games (21-25, 13-25) to Division V powerhouse Castilleja, which finished runner-up in the Central Coast Section playoffs last season.
Moving into bracketed play, Anzar then squared off with MTAL rival Pacific Grove, which had just defeated the Hawks during a league match last Tuesday. Unable to avenge the loss, however, Anzar fell to the Breakers in three games (21-25, 30-28, 11-15) on Saturday.
Setter Carly Johnson had 25 assists in the loss, while Jessica Frusetta and Jessica Stofer each contributed five kills apiece.
Head coach Jennifer Daughenbaugh said the team performed much better compared to its previous match with Pacific Grove, although service errors led to the team’s undoing.
“They basically out-served us,” she said.
Anzar compiled four aces in the match against the Breakers, but also had nine service errors.
“Anything that hurt us,” Daughenbaugh said, “it was our serving errors.
“But overall, they played really well. Things are coming together and clicking better.”
The Hawks saw the continued development of Nicole Mello, who was sidelined with an ACL injury earlier this season. Normally an outside hitter, Mello returned to the lineup in a limited role just last week, and has been utilized by Anzar as a defensive specialist.
Mello had a combined 21 digs in three matches at the Mount Madonna Invitational.
“She’s close to being back to normal, and that’s gonna be a huge thing for us,” said Daughenbaugh, noting Mello is the best passer on the team.
“And our passing has improved tremendously, which was our weakness,” the coach added.
Alex Flores led the Hawks against Scotts Valley with six kills and six aces, while Camille Merz supplied five kills. Both Frusetta and Averi Pavese had eight digs each.
Flores also led the team against Castilleja with nine kills and two aces. The setter Johnson contributed 10 assists.
Anzar (6-7 overall, 1-1 MTAL) will return to league play Tuesday as King City will visit for a 6 p.m. match in San Juan Bautista. On Thursday, the Hawks travel to Carmel to battle the Padres at 6 p.m.
“We have a tough week ahead of us,” Daughenbaugh said.
