Press-Banner
Though both the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley high school teams look equally matched on paper and on the court, SLV took advantage of Falcon blunders to take their recent Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League matchup 3-0.
The Cougars (2-6 SCCAL, 4-10 overall) defeated the Falcons in straight sets, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20 on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
“That was definitely the best we have played all season,” said Cougar Head Coach Marcus Northcutt. “I wish we would play this well against everyone but we seem to rise to the occasion against Scotts Valley.”
The Falcons (1-6 SCCAL, 1-10 overall) put up a tough fight and kept each game close before eventually falling. The team rallied behind flashes of aptitude in every game to make the match much more heated than the score let on.
In the second game the Cougars had pulled away to a 19-11 lead but the feisty Falcons mounted a spirited comeback and tied the game 23-23 before the Cougars rallied and took the final two points to finish the game.
Michelle Hitt led the Cougars with 14 kills while teammates Matty Prader and Haley Cada each doled out seven a piece. Setter Kaitlyn Lotz delt 28 assists for the Cougars to keep her hitters swinging.
“That was tough, I thought we could have taken had them,” Falcon hitter Emily Payne commented after the match.
Maggie Witzig led the Falcon hitters with nine kills and Payne put in a tremendous effort and seemed to be all over the court for the Falcons.
“We played hard but really didn’t play our best volleyball tonight,” said Falcon Head Coach Zoe Beltz. “We really are a better team. My hat is off to SLV. They played their hearts out tonight.”
The Falcons and Cougars both play after press time on October 6. Then the Cougars play at Soquel on Oct. 11 and the Falcons play at Mount Madonna the same day. Both games are at 6:30 p.m.
