Falcons fall to Soquel

The tight-knit Scotts Valley girls varsity volleyball team endured a disappointing loss to Soquel High on Tuesday night.
The Knights defeated the visiting Falcons in four games, 25-5, 25-13, 23-25, and 25-16.
Scotts Valley struggled through the first and second games with unforced errors and free ball returns to the Knights hard spikes and serves.
“It was a mental game for us the first two games,” junior captain Amber Bothman said. 
In the third, however, the Falcons started off with a 5-0 lead and set the pace. With both teams sporting height at the net, there was a constant trade-off of hard hits and blocking.
Overall, Shelby Kranich led the Falcons with five kills, followed by Serena Tapuloa and Mikayla Fish each with four. Tapuloa was also a presence at the net with four blocks.
“We have a habit of playing best under pressure,” Tapuloa, a senior captain said. “We got fired up and wanted to win that game.”
The Falcon’s energy continued into the fourth game, where it stayed close until Soquel slowly pulled ahead with kills and Falcons unforced errors.
Sophomore setter Megan Lonhart led Scotts Valley with 17 assists and two aces.
The Falcons look forward to the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Tournament on November 4.
“We really try to not get down on ourselves,” Tapuloa said. “We just focus on the present play.”
Bothman had a similar view.
“We will bring our game every time, regardless of what we and everyone else thinks,” she said.  
Scotts Valley finished the regular season with a 6-6 league record, and 8-7 overall.