After compiling a 16-9 overall record, its best mark since 2006,
the Anzar Hawks qualified to the Central Coast Section Division V
Girls Volleyball Championships on Saturday, and will square off
against league rival Santa Catalina in the quarterfinal round.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
After compiling a 16-9 overall record, its best mark since 2006, the Anzar Hawks qualified to the Central Coast Section Division V Girls Volleyball Championships on Saturday, and will square off against league rival Santa Catalina in the quarterfinal round.
The two teams, which have played each other twice already this season, will meet up on Saturday at a time and location to be announced. There is no first round of games scheduled in Division V.
Anzar, the No. 5 seed, and Santa Catalina (16-10), the No. 4 seed, played two matches in Mission Trail Athletic League play this season, splitting the season series. However, both matches went the full five games.
On Oct. 12 in San Juan Bautista, the Hawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the visiting Cougars knotted the match at 2-all and forced a fifth and deciding game. Anzar prevailed, though, withstanding Santa Catalina’s late efforts en route to a 25-19, 25-16, 17-25, 22-25, 15-10 victory.
Less than one month later on Nov. 4 in Monterey, the two teams met up again, and again played a five-set match. Anzar also jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second meeting, only to see Santa Catalina march back into contention after winning the third and fourth sets.
This time, though, the host Cougars prevailed in the fifth set and defeated the Hawks 16-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-20, 15-9.
Saturday’s playoff, in essence, will be the rubber match between the two teams.
The winner will advance to the semifinal round, which isn’t slated to begin until Thursday, Nov. 18, at Alma Heights. Either Anzar or Santa Catalina would square off against the winner between No. 8 Alma Heights (13-8) and top-seeded Castilleja (25-8).
On the other side of the bracket, No. 2 Mount Madonna (23-8) will compete against No. 7 Pacific Collegiate (15-6), while No. 3 Crystal Springs (19-9) will compete against No. 6 More (21-12).
The last time Anzar qualified to the postseason was in 2008, when it dropped an opening round match against More in three sets.
Hawks head coach Chris Wardlaw could not be reached for comment at press time.
The eight-team bracket will conclude on Saturday, Nov. 20, in the championship final at Independence High School in San Jose.
