Christopher knew it had a tall order to fill against Salinas Thursday night as the team had never won a set against the Cowboys heading into this game. But this time, the Cougars won three and came away with a thrilling 3-2 win at home.
Katelyn Viray and Samantha Dolan provided a double threat, racking up 19 and 16 kills, respectively, in the win. Christa Arroyo accounted for 54 assists and 22 digs. Viray also had 28 digs and Dolan served up three aces. Grace Gundy notched three blocks.
After dropping the first two sets 25-27, 21-25, the Cougars rebounded to win both Set 3 and 4 by a score of 25-18. The Cougars pounced out to an early lead in the final set and never looked back, winning 15-11.
“As a coach, I couldn’t have been more proud of the way this team battled tonight,” head coach Brian Calimpong said. “Going down 0-2 is pretty much a doomed future in high school varsity volleyball.”
Senior libero Marielle Gomez added: “I’ve worked for four years on varsity to experience beating a Salinas High team…I couldn’t be happier than to step on the floor with this group we have this year.”
Christopher (12-4 overall, 2-0 in league) will be back in action at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to host Monterey.
Mustangs swept by Alvarez
Gilroy dropped its second straight contest, falling 3-0 to Everett Alvarez Thursday at home. The Eagles won 25-22, 25-17, 26-24.
Stats for the Mustangs were not yet available.
Gilroy will be back on the court at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to host Seaside.
GIRLS TENNIS
Mustangs beat ‘Catz, fall to Spirits
At the end of the first week of Monterey Bay League-Pacific Division play, the Mustangs sit at 1-1 after beating Watsonville 6-1 Thursday and losing to Notre Dame-Salinas 4-3 Tuesday.
Gilroy’s No. 1 singles player Brea Martin pulled out a challenging three-set victory over her Watsonville counterpart to grab her first win of the season. The Mustangs’ No. 2, freshman Didi Bakita, fell just shy of recording her first ‘W’, fall 7-5, 7-6. Watsonville forfeited the No. 3 doubles match due to lack of players.
Coach Ray Blagof said the remainder of the team “had a day that we all wish for, easy wins.”
Things weren’t as easy against ND, however.
Sophomore and No. 3 singles player Angela Martin recorded the lone singles win, taking her ND opponent to a tiebreaker. The No. 1 doubles team of Nicole Holder and Savanna Brandon easily handled their match. The No. 2 team of Maggie Pickford and Mya Esquivel needed an extra set to secure their win, but got the job done in the tiebreaker.
The Mustangs will be back on the court at 4 p.m. Tuesday at North Salinas.
Cougars top Alisal in league opener, drop one to MVC
Christopher opened league play with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Alisal at home Thursday. The win came on the heels of a 6-2 loss to Monte Vista Christian Tuesday.
The Cougars’ No. 2 through 4 singles players came away with wins, as did the No. 3 doubles team against Alisal.
No. 2 singles player Kaitlyn Lombardo won her match easily 6-4, 6-0 as did No. 3 Niet Khay, who won 6-3, 6-1. The No. 4 Malia Campos needed three sets to decide her fate, but ultimately won 10-3 in the tiebreaker.
The No. 3 doubles team of Camryn Crowley and Sara Blawski won their first set 6-2, but found themselves in a 2-0 hole in Set 2. The duo shook it off, however, and regrouped to win 6-4.
Things were tougher against MVC, with Christopher’s lone wins coming in No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles.
Campos won her match by a score of 6-4, 6-2. The doubles team—that day made up of Cher Choi and Blawski—won their match 6-4, 6-4.
The Cougars (1-2 overall, 1-0 in league) will host Pajaro Valley at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
BOYS WATER POLO
Cougars down Harbor
Christopher powered past Harbor 25-7 Thursday at home for the team’s second straight win.
Stats from this game were not immediately available.
The Cougars (3-2) will be back in the pool today at the Homestead Tournament.
GIRLS WATER POLO
Cowboys edge Cougars
Christopher and Salinas were evenly matched in through three quarters of Thursday’s match. It was the second quarter, however, that made the difference as Salinas topped the Cougars 8-7 at Hartnell College.
Both teams scored two goals in the first, third and fourth quarters. The Cowboys gained their crucial edge in the second where they outscored Christopher 2-1.
Stats from this game were not yet available.
The Cougars (4-6 overall, 0-4 in league) will host Santa Teresa at 4 p.m. today.
FIELD HOCKEY
Lancers blank Mustangs
St. Francis handed Gilroy its first loss of the season, winning 3-0 Thursday on the road.
The Lancers scored two quick goals to start, which coach Adam Gemar said were “perfectly placed” into the far side of the net.
“Those goals, in my opinion, were due to what we’ve been concerned about as coaches and what we’ve been talking about while playing defense in the middle of the field,” the Mustangs’ Gemar said, noting his team had only a couple of two to three minute laps. “…that’s how tight games are won and lost—who can capitalize on the few laps.”
Freshman goalie Savanah Castro was awarded the Player of the Game. Gemar said his rookie netminder didn’t make any “freshman mistakes” and he was delighted with her performance between the pipes.
Ellie Sausen also had a noteworthy performance in the field.
“SF has their stars,” Gemar said “but Ellie really shined.”
GIRLS GOLF
Cougars bested by Santa Catalina, Watsonville
Santa Catalina and Watsonville proved too much for the Christopher girls golf team this week. The Cougars opened the week with a 331-238 loss to SC on Tuesday before losing a close one to Watsonville, 364-357, on Thursday.
Mia Navarro led the Cougars with a 53 against SC. Nina Velez was right behind her with a 57, while Madisen Ruelas carded a 67. Zoe Benn scored a 73.
SC’s Coco Chai was the match medalist with an impressive one under par score of 35.
The Cougars had just two players against Watsonville, but still kept things close. Navarro was the match medalist with a 52, while Frankie Vannie scored a 69.
Christopher (1-5) will host Alisal at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Eagles outscore Mustangs
The Mustangs lost 329-237 to Everett Alvarez on Thursday, but the team isn’t hanging its head.
Despite not having a win under their belts thus far, head coach Daniel Valdez said he’s happy with the fact his girls continue to improve.
Nicole Dan led the team with a 50, while Alessandra Esposito carded a 55. Newbie Judith Diaz notched a 62.
The Mustangs (0-5) will next play at 3:00 p.m. Monday at Monte Vista Christian.
