Maranatha Athletic Director Sports Update

Volleyball

Last week was a busy time for Girls Volleyball. Tuesday Sept 9, the Lady Minutemen welcomed the New Roads High School volleyball program, in their first home match of the season. Both JV and Varsity defended their home court with impressive wins; Junior Varsity won their match 25-4, 25-4 and the Varsity followed suit with a quick victory 25-4, 25-6, and 25-8.

On Thursday the Girls Volleyball program traveled to Western Anaheim High School to face off against the Lady Pioneers. The Frosh/Soph team battled to a competitive victory 25-15, 25-18. The Junior Varsity was not so fortunate as they dropped the first set 15-25 and then missed some opportunities and lost the next set 25-27. The Varsity girls seemed to be on the same track as the JV, dropping the first 2 sets of a best of 5 match up, however, the Minutemen Varsity stood their ground and battled their way to a 5-set victory 15-25, 25-27, 25-15, 25-15, 15-8, and Senior Sam Weiner (Captain) earned player of the match honors.

The Varsity also participated in the El Monte Varsity Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Sept 13.  The Minutemen swept through pool play competition with victories over Ramona H.S, South El Monte, and Nogales. These victories moved the Minutemen to the #1 seed in the tournament and after a quick victory over Ramona in the quarterfinals, Maranatha found themselves in a tough contest against #3 Crescenta Valley High School.  Down 14-18 the Minutemen looked to be done in a single elimination game to 25; however, the Minutemen marched to action and pulled even at 23-23. An error by CV led to a match-point and after a dig by Senior Libero Taylor Chamberlain, Setter Emily Leung set up Kendall Schmedes for the game winner advancing the team to the finals and a match up vs. #2 Bishop Amat. Through the first set, each team looked to be feeling out their opponent but at 9-9 the Minutemen made their move and cruised to a 25-15, 25-16 finals victory and the Tournament Championship.

Notable Awards: Sam Weiner and Kendall Schmedes earned All-Tournament Team Selections. This was Kendall ‘s first competition since being medically cleared to participate after recovery from a left foot stress fracture.

Stat Leaders to date: E. Leung: 79 assists, C. Sommers: 63 kills, N. Rodriguez: 91 digs, S. Weiner: 11 blocks, 10 aces.

Football

The CIF-SS 6^th ranked Maranatha football program improved their record to 3-0 as they head into rivalry week with La Salle High School who is 2-1.  The Minutemen travelled to Citrus College on Thursday night to defeat the Azusa Aztecs 35-26.  The Junior Varsity followed suit on Fridayafternoon when they beat Azusa 14-0 to improve their record to 3-0.  Below are the articles written on the game.

CIF-SS NORTHWEST DIVISION rankings

RANK SCHOOL REC. W/L OPPONENT SCORE

1. Nipomo (Northern) 2-1 W Carpinteria 48-6

2. Mission Prep (Northern) 2-1 W Pomona 2-0 (Forfeit)

3. Valley Christian/C. (Olympic) 3-0 W Ocean View 42-20

4. Rio Hondo Prep (Prep) 2-1 W Gabrielino 20-16

5. Arrowhead Christian (Ambassador) 3-0 W Twentynine Palms 56-27

6. Maranatha (Olympic) 3-0 W Azusa 35-26

7. Morro Bay (Northern) 1-2 W Segerstrom 40-8

8. Big Bear (De Anza) 2-1 L Kern Valley (CS) 30-6

9. Poly/Pasadena (Prep) 3-0 W Linfield Christian 30-27

10. Village Christian (Olympic) 3-0 W Mountain View Chr. (NV) 55-12

Others: Verbum Dei (South Catholic), 2-1; Shadow Hills (De Anza), 1-2.

Girls’ Tennis

Westridge

Our Lady Minutemen opened the week with a tight match against perennial D2 powerhouse, Westridge.  They arrived to the courts in droves – a swarm of green – at least 30 of them – from both their JV and Varsity teams.  Despite the imposing sight that it was our girls were undaunted and headed into the match with purpose and determination, despite losing to them , 5-13, last season.

The score was 3-3 after the first round with wins coming from #2 Angela Hsieh, #3 Natalie Orphali, and #1 doubles, Hailey McNall/Sage Polanco.

Angela and #1 Lauren Garcia won their second round sets to bring the score to 5-6 with one set left, #1 Hailey and Sage down, 5-6, 30-30. They lost 5-7, making the match score, 5-7 as well. Having them win 3 sets was our hope to come out with a tie.

I think a bit of discouragement set it after that tight loss, and they unexpectedly lost the final set, 2-6, after Natalie and Lauren both won their sets, leaving the final score at 7-11, in what easily could have been an 8-10 or 9-9 match.  It was a little discouraging, but also showed us that we can hang with the “big girls.”

Ontario Christian

This was an undefeated team, ranked #4 in D-4, when we defeated them last season. What a difference a year makes. Having lost several seniors from last season, they are in rebuilding mode.  Sometimes, it’s not easy to play teams in a rebuilding mode.  Distraction and lack of focus can creep.  I wanted them to be aware of that and assume responsibility for playing their best tennis no matter who the opposition is.

Our girls stayed focused the entire match.  Every starting doubles team won all their matches by a 6-0 score.  Our singles corps won six sets by a 6-0 score and lost a total of 5 games in the remaining 3 sets versus their #1.

This match marked the tennis debut of junior Marissa Dickey (her first competitive set ever) and only the second set played by freshman, Reagan Atallah.  They quickly went down, 0-4, before reigning in their nerves and beginning to really compete.  They mounted a big comeback, bringing the score to 4-5 before eventually losing, 4-6.  It was great to see them figure things out and get some experience.

Apparently, the CIF ranking committee values this as they have Maranatha ranked #1 in D-5 for the first time in school history:

CIF-SS DIVISION 5 rankings

1 Maranatha

2 Hemet

3 Santa Paula

4 Vista Del Lago

5 Montclair

6 Norte Vista

7 Grand Terrance

8 Yucca Valley

9 Thacher

10 Beaumont

Cross Country

The boys team was led by, yes you guessed it, Joseph Funches who has the heart of a warrior and talent to back it up.  Joseph placed 6th in a field of 138 runners, nice run!! His freshman brother, Ezekiel Funches, was our next finisher coming in closer and closer to his big brother as he gains running experience. Eli Rodarte bounced back from an injury posting a solid time while enduring still another groin injury. Not far behind him were teammates Aaron Trujillo and Adam Escobar, both making progress in their sophomore year. In the juniors race, Dilan Wijiesinghe had one of his best races to date, and we expect more of the same from him. The boys team looks stronger each week, and their hard work at practice should propel them forward to a great season.

The girls team also ran very well in the heat. The team’s #1, #3, #4, and #5 runners did not participate and Emily Mar, a freshman, took the opportunity to show she is going to be a great runner.  Although she is still learning her craft she led the girls team by posting the fastest Maranatha girl’s time of the day; Andrea Chau, a junior, posted the 2nd fastest time.  They go back and forth each race trading leads and each runner ran well in the dry heat. The team had some surprises, new runners Noelle Attar, Elizabeth Lai, Amanda Jiang, Irene MacPherson and Caroline Andre ran their best races of the season on the hottest day of their young careers. Perseverance and hard work enables success. Olivia Raff another first time runner showed true grit by wearing a giant ankle brace and completing the race looking very good. Raff further reinforced the idea, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13

NOW…..As you know FIRST LEAGUE MEET OF THE SEASON is Thursday. All Maranatha Cross Country runners, its time……Come ready to run, this is the beginning of your legacy, former MHS athletes have paved the way, we got to represent…. If you can’t run, you can cheer on your teammates. This is your team, your time, don’t let it slip by…..Remember, you can only be in this place in time, one time, so do not be afraid of the unknown, it is unknown only to you, he is well aware of every step he is asking you to take.

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