Playing its first match in a week, the Gavilan College women’s
volleyball team picked up right where it left things with a
three-set sweep (25-19, 25-21, 25-19) of visiting Chabot College to
kick off the second half of Coast Conference play Wednesday
night.
GILROY
Playing its first match in a week, the Gavilan College women’s volleyball team picked up right where it left things with a three-set sweep (25-19, 25-21, 25-19) of visiting Chabot College to kick off the second half of Coast Conference play Wednesday night.
“We arrived about three days late to the party,” head coach Kevin Kramer said. “Not that we weren’t clicking sometimes, it’s just that it wasn’t consistent. Everyone is a little tight knowing what our record is, but at the same time we’ve gotta show up and play. I’m glad to get a win and get them hungry again.”
The Rams have now won nine straight matches — a school record — and hold an undefeated 6-0 record in the conference, 14-5 overall.
Gavilan seemed to dust off any cobwebs from its week break in the first set, jumping out to a comfortable 10-4 lead highlighted by kills from sophomore captain Bri Romero, sophomore Tessa Fischer and sophomore Suzie Schaefer.
The Gladiators, who were forced to play catch-up the entire set, began to narrow the gap behind strong play from sophomore Amanda Meyer, who’s kill midway through the opening set brought her team to within three at 14-11.
However, showing signs of a team that is not afraid of a little adversity, the Rams again opened up a sizable advantage as Schaefer and company went back to work.
Schafer’s dump-shot started a string of four straight points for the Rams, who again fought off a Gladiators’ surge before securing the set.
“If they give me a hole I’m going to take it all day,” Schaefer said. “I like to use my hitters first and foremost, but if they give that to me I’m going to take it.”
Schaefer ended her effort with 37 assists, 11 digs, seven kills and added one block for good measure.
The second set had a different feel to it, as the Rams were the ones who found themselves playing from behind. They were eventually able to tie the set at 18-18. And after the two teams were deadlocked at 20-20, the Rams took five of the next six points, finished by another Schaefer quick dump-shot for the set.
“Obviously we can play,” Kramer said, “It’s OK to make mistakes. I don’t care if you hit the ball out of bounds. Just play smart. We are good enough to make up for some bad plays here and there.”
Five Rams registered kills in the deciding set, including five from sophomore Cheyenne Hambey, three of which helped the Rams bring a slim 15-14 lead to a 20-14 cushion and seize the momentum for good.
Romero had a team-high 15 kills, Hambey finished with 11 kills and Shayna Nakata posted 35 digs.
“We definitely didn’t play to our full potential, although we did play together as a team,” Romero said. “Players stepped up when they had to.”
The next challenge that awaits the Rams is a rematch with defending conference champion Cabrillo College, which was reinstated in 2005. Gavilan came away with its first win over the powerhouse two weeks ago.
“All we have to tell ourselves is that it’s Cabrillo,” Romero said. “We are going to watch some film on them and prepare. Although we are playing to win, we are also having fun and that is helping.”
Friday’s match with Cabrillo is slated for 7 p.m. in Aptos.
