Mustangs lose in three games to one of league’s elite
Staff Reports
Missing a player to injury and another to illness, the shorthanded Gilroy varsity girls volleyball team showed plenty of heart, but it was the Notre Dame Spirits that triumphed in Salinas Tuesday, winning in straight sets 25-18, 25-8, 25-17.
According to Gilroy’s coach, the Mustangs gave a valiant effort under the circumstances, facing one of the toughest teams the Tri-County Athletic league has to offer while putting a couple players in unfamiliar positions.
“I have one girl out with a turned ankle and one girl out who was sick so today Lindsay Meazell set when she was in the back row and hit when she was in the front,” GHS Coach Sue Grogan said. “We’ve never run that formation before.
“Notre Dame is a tough team, they’re right up there with Hollister. We knew we were in a tough game,” Grogan added.
The defeat dropped Gilroy to 15-15 overall, 3-6 in the TCAL.
Melissa Avila led the Mustangs with six kills, Loryn Ferreira had five to go with two down-blocks, and Caitlin Chisolm had four slams.
Jasmine Perez led the team in digs with 12 while Avila was second with 11. Brittany Lewis and Lindsay Meazell had six and four assists, respectively, and Lewis had two service aces.
While the defeat does some damage to the Mustangs’ record, it doesn’t eliminate the team from making Central Coast Section playoffs. With a win over North Salinas this evening, GHS would have more leverage in its bid to belong in the postseason.
“On paper, we have a slim, slim chance to make CCS if we do lose, but it makes out chances better (if we win),” Grogan said.
“I think North Salinas will be our deciding factor. It could be the difference between Gilroy going and North Salinas not (qualifying), or we could both be going,” she continued.
The team should also have some extra incentive in tonight’s 6:30 p.m. contest against the Cowboys. The last meeting was a bitter three-game defeat for GHS.
“They weren’t very happy with themselves when they lost to North Salinas,” Grogan said. “So, we’ll have to see what happens.”
JV and Freshmen Note:
The junior varsity squad lost in two games to Notre Dame on Tuesday 25-13, 25-11. The freshman team had similar struggles, dropping both of its games 25-13, 25-11.
TENNIS
Gilroy’s girls tennis team was swept 7-0 by the Notre Dame Spirits at Chamisal Tennis Center in Salinas Tuesday.
All three doubles matches were extremely close, with each match going to a third-set tiebreaker, but ultimately going in favor of the Spirits.
No. 4 singles player Gories Kwong also pushed her match to a third-set tiebreaker, but fell just short of victory.
Thursday’s 4 p.m. contest at home with North Salinas will be “Senior Day,” because it is the final match of the season for the team.
Before the matches begin, seniors will be introduced and thanked for their contributions to the program.
In total, there are 12 seniors on the squad.
