By Jordan Green
Following a disappointing four-set loss to the Arcadia Apaches, Monrovia High School’s girls volleyball team took care of business on Tuesday, defeating the Blair Vikings in three straight sets on the Vikings home court.
The win advances the Wildcats to a 9-10-2 record, while Blair now falls to 1-5 overall. MHS dominated from the get-go, winning the first set 25-7, which was followed by yet another strong set in which they won 25-6. By the end of the game, the Wildcats outscored their opponents 75-25.
The team, in total, collected 24 kills on the night. Junior Siena Andrews and senior Anaya Berry led the team each with four kills. Along with Berry and Andrews, a total of six more players earned at least two kills. Andrews also dominated at the front of the net defensively, acquiring the team’s only four blocks throughout the contest.
Sophomore Libero had a phenomenal game defensively, earning 12 digs by the end of the matchup. The same can be said about sophomore setter Jessica Mitchell, as she assisted 18 of the total 24 kills. For Mitchell, that now makes it 21 straight games where she has earned 15 or more assists.
Quite possibly the biggest factor towards the Wildcats sweeping the Vikings was their consistent serving. The team averaged 11 aces per set after collecting a total of 33 aces out of the 74 serves seen by Monrovia. Eight of MHS’s servers earned at least one ace, and junior Juliana Castaneda led the team with 11 in total. Before this contest against Blair, her previous high on the season was six against Pasadena High School.
This is now the fourth time the Wildcats have been able to sweep its opponents in three sets all season, and it is the first time MHS has accomplished this feat in league play.
Following the contest, the 3-2 Wildcats are now ranked fourth in the Rio Hondo Valley Standings. They are above San Marino, Temple City and Blair who all own a 0-3 to start the season. However, MHS is below La Canada, South Pasadena and Christopher who collectively own a 13-1 record.
Their next game will be yet another league matchup, this time against the Temple City Rams. Although the Rams have lost every league matchup thus far, they started their season incredibly strong winning five straight games to begin their campaign. The game will be played on Oct. 3 at Temple City High School in Temple City, Calif. It is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.
Stats
Kills:
Andrews, Siena – 4
Berry, Anaya – 4
Carius, Katelyn – 3
Dowell, Amber – 3
Castaneda, Juliana – 2
Corrazelli, Alyssa – 2
Mitchell, Jessica – 2
Shaw, Amber – 2
Brandley, Taylor – 1
Dedeaux, Jadyn – 1
Aces:
Castaneda, Juliana – 11
Friedenberg, Audrey – 5
Andrews, Siena – 4
Corrazelli, Alyssa – 4
Dowell, Amber – 4
Mitchell, Jessica – 2
Shaw, Amber – 2
Rodriquez, Olivia – 1
Blocks:
Andrews, Siena – 4
Digs:
Castaneda, Juliana – 12
Shaw, Amber – 7
Berry, Anaya – 3
Rodriquez, Olivia – 3
De La Rosa, Jasmine – 2
Mitchell, Jessica – 2
Friedenberg, Audrey – 1
Assists:
Mitchell, Jessica – 18
Friedenberg, Audrey – 3
Castaneda, Juliana – 2
Corrazelli, Alyssa – 1
