On Sept. 19, the girls volleyball team won in a tense match against Monta Vista. Early in the game, Monta Vista took an early lead into the first set, but MVHS soon came back, and won the set 25-20.
“I was feeling pretty good after the first set, but didn’t want to get cocky,” senior opposite hitter Mallory Berent said.
Going into the second set, the Spartans rotated their setters and outside hitters, according to Head Coach Oscar Figueroa. However, Monta Vista would then take an early lead that they maintained for the rest of the set.
“[In] the third set, we had to modify some of our players,” Figueroa said. “By then, we were still feeling the loss of the second set.”
As the third set progressed, Monta Vista maintained a solid lead that won them the set 25-13.
“Afterwards, fourth set, we ended up going back to the rotation that we initially started on the first set,” Figueroa said.
The team saw much more success with this rotation, and began to trade points, tying the score at 12-12.
“I think we were minimizing our errors more [in the fourth set],” Berent said. “We were letting less balls drop, we were getting more serves in, and being more strategic with our hitting.”
At this point, the Spartans began to pull away, and took a solid lead that won the set with a score of 25-21. Players stormed in from the sideline to huddle and celebrate, and the team prepared to start the fifth set.
With chants from both sides of the gym, Monta Vista then took a two point lead. After battling point for point, the Spartans started to pull away with a lead of 11-9. The Spartans finished strong, and the crowd erupted in celebration when they won 15-9.
“It’s the first five set game we’ve had this season, but I’m really proud of my team for pulling through in the end and winning, because it’s definitely hard for five sets,” Berent said.
Berent highlighted senior libero Kendyll Winn for her excellent play and work motivating the team. She also said she appreciated sophomore setter Halle Pattisson for her consistently good sets and her overall great performance.
“We had a very good crowd,” Figueroa said. “I love that we were cheering back and forth between the opposite team, Monta Vista.”
From rumbling the bleachers with stomping feet, and cheers on both sides of “MV” and “Let’s go Spartans,” the environment was electric.
Figueroa said that he appreciated the contributions of his assistant coaches for their great support, and that he valued his team captains for giving feedback that contributed to the team’s victory.
“If we are able to beat Monta Vista, we could definitely lock in and win [against] Los Altos,” Figueroa said. “There’s also a good potential for Los Gatos, so we’re coming for them.”
