A pair of wins went on the books for the Escalon varsity and freshman volleyball teams this week, while the JV girls split their Trans-Valley League contests.
For the varsity, they took a road win at Orestimba on Oct. 25 and were on the home court for an easy win over Hughson on Oct. 27.
At Orestimba, keys to the game were solid serving and great defense, with five aces and 26 digs from Nicole Bianchi, along with 10 kills from Megan Faria. Scores were 25-10, 25-18, 27-25 for the varsity girls, who also got 33 assists from Shay Beam and two blocks from Neomai Niu.
Wednesday, JV coach Kayla Kootstra ran the team in the absence of varsity head coach Teresa Williamson, and said the girls overwhelmed the visiting Huskies by scores of 25-7, 25-6, 25-8.
"This is a rebuilding year for Hughson," Kootstra said. "I was proud of the girls, they stayed in focus and played good volleyball even though there wasn't much of a challenge on the other side."
Leaders were Faria with eight kills, Beam with 24 assists, seven aces and one block, and Bianchi with 16 digs.
The girls wrap up the league season at home against Modesto Christian today (Nov. 3), then get ready for the playoffs.
Junior Varsity
For the JV girls, they lost on the road Monday, falling 25-27, 25-21, 9-15.
"They were just scrappy," Kootstra said of the host Orestimba team. "They got after balls, they served tough, we had trouble with their passing and couldn't put the ball away."
Sarah Fernandez set well for the JV girls, said Kootstra, with a good overall effort from Sam Shipley.
"She showed a lot of leadership on the floor," Kootstra said.
Wednesday, the girls battled and prevailed over Hughson in a three-game set, 27-25, 18-25, 15-6.
"I just told them to take pride in what they were doing on the floor," Kootstra said of giving the girls incentive to get that third and deciding game.
Against Orestimba, the JV girl had 19 errors, so Kootstra asked the team to focus on making fewer errors, thereby giving away fewer points against Hughson.
"They seemed to respond to it, Sam Shipley and Hailey Bush played good defense and Geonna Solari hit very well," Kootstra pointed out.
The girls take the court for a 5:30 p.m. contest Nov. 3 against Modesto Christian.
Freshmen
Both matches went just two games for the youngest Lady Cougars, defeating Orestimba 25-5 and 25-12 and taking Hughson down, 25-8, 25-14.
"Rachel Larsen had five aces against Orestimba," said coach Niki Hoover. "We served a lot. Against Hughson, Brittaney Lima had nine aces, Rachel Larsen and Hailey Stephens had two kills each."
The girls were slated to host Ripon Christian on Monday night for a non-league contest after The Times went to press and wrap up the season with a home game against Modesto Christian tonight, Nov. 3 at 4:30 p.m.
For the varsity, they took a road win at Orestimba on Oct. 25 and were on the home court for an easy win over Hughson on Oct. 27.
At Orestimba, keys to the game were solid serving and great defense, with five aces and 26 digs from Nicole Bianchi, along with 10 kills from Megan Faria. Scores were 25-10, 25-18, 27-25 for the varsity girls, who also got 33 assists from Shay Beam and two blocks from Neomai Niu.
Wednesday, JV coach Kayla Kootstra ran the team in the absence of varsity head coach Teresa Williamson, and said the girls overwhelmed the visiting Huskies by scores of 25-7, 25-6, 25-8.
"This is a rebuilding year for Hughson," Kootstra said. "I was proud of the girls, they stayed in focus and played good volleyball even though there wasn't much of a challenge on the other side."
Leaders were Faria with eight kills, Beam with 24 assists, seven aces and one block, and Bianchi with 16 digs.
The girls wrap up the league season at home against Modesto Christian today (Nov. 3), then get ready for the playoffs.
Junior Varsity
For the JV girls, they lost on the road Monday, falling 25-27, 25-21, 9-15.
"They were just scrappy," Kootstra said of the host Orestimba team. "They got after balls, they served tough, we had trouble with their passing and couldn't put the ball away."
Sarah Fernandez set well for the JV girls, said Kootstra, with a good overall effort from Sam Shipley.
"She showed a lot of leadership on the floor," Kootstra said.
Wednesday, the girls battled and prevailed over Hughson in a three-game set, 27-25, 18-25, 15-6.
"I just told them to take pride in what they were doing on the floor," Kootstra said of giving the girls incentive to get that third and deciding game.
Against Orestimba, the JV girl had 19 errors, so Kootstra asked the team to focus on making fewer errors, thereby giving away fewer points against Hughson.
"They seemed to respond to it, Sam Shipley and Hailey Bush played good defense and Geonna Solari hit very well," Kootstra pointed out.
The girls take the court for a 5:30 p.m. contest Nov. 3 against Modesto Christian.
Freshmen
Both matches went just two games for the youngest Lady Cougars, defeating Orestimba 25-5 and 25-12 and taking Hughson down, 25-8, 25-14.
"Rachel Larsen had five aces against Orestimba," said coach Niki Hoover. "We served a lot. Against Hughson, Brittaney Lima had nine aces, Rachel Larsen and Hailey Stephens had two kills each."
The girls were slated to host Ripon Christian on Monday night for a non-league contest after The Times went to press and wrap up the season with a home game against Modesto Christian tonight, Nov. 3 at 4:30 p.m.
