Palao tallies team-high 21 kills in GHS volleyball team’s
five-game loss to Cowboys
GILROY – A five-game loss to Salinas was not what the Gilroy High girls volleyball team had hoped for going into Wednesday’s home match. But head coach Sam Navarez was every bit as proud of his girls than if they came out on the winning end.
“I’m so proud of them,” said Navarez, following his squad’s 25-22, 11-25, 11-25, 25-14, 8-15 defeat at the hands of the Lady Cowboys. “Good game. When it comes down to a fifth game, you need a little luck. Both teams played well. We played well enough to win.”
The Lady Mustangs (2-4 in league) had the momentum on their side after winning game-four to force the decisive 15-point game. But Salinas finished stronger – pulling ahead by five at the midway point and never looking back.
“I think our enthusiasm went down. The fourth game was awesome. We were up and ready to go. We felt we did (have the momentum). It’s just too bad we didn’t win,” said setter Kassi Thomas, who finished with 10 assists. “They’re a good team, but so are we. It was a good match. It was a fun match to play in.”
Senior hitter Lourella Palao tallied a team-high 21 kills to go along with her four blocks and team-high 12 digs, while senior teammate Yanina Gonzalez added seven kills and eight digs.
“(Palao) was on. She kept us in it,” Navarez said. “Our serving was awesome. All of our players rose to the ocassion. We’re still in it. There are good losses and this is a good loss. It shows we can compete with the best teams.”
Gilroy put the pressure on Salinas early – matching them hit for hit in the opening game before taking a 1-0 lead with some inspiring play. The Lady Mustangs were ahead by as many as eight early on, but Salinas regrouped and tied the score at 15-15. The hosts then turned it up a notch and extended to a three-point lead until hitter Kendall Costa sealed the game-one win with a block for game point.
The Lady Mustangs could not find their groove in the next two games – falling by identical 11-25 margins to give Salinas a 2-1 lead in the match.
In high school volleyball, each game goes to 25 in rally format with either team scoring points on the serve. The fifth game keeps the same rally format, but only goes to 15.
Gilroy’s best game came in the fourth. After trading points for a 3-3 tie, Amy Trujillo stepped to the service line and did not leave until the Lady Mustangs were ahead 10-3. Salinas tried to claw its way back in, but Gilroy would not allow it – winning by an 11-point spread.
The Lady Mustangs, however, fell behind early in the fifth game and could not get back into it – taking the five-game loss.
Setter Catherine Hussey finished with a team-high 18 assists, while Costa registered three blocks.
Up next, the Lady Mustangs welcome frontrunner Hollister for an Oct. 27 night match at Gilroy High at 6:30 p.m.
“We’re going to give it our all. That’s the game we want,” Thomas said. “You feel bad for two minutes and get ready for the next game.”
