Gonzalez tallies 25 kills, 8 digs in home loss to Live Oak
GILROY – To the seniors on the Lady Mustang volleyball team, Thursday’s regular-season finale against neighboring rival Live Oak meant everything.
Since it was their last game at Gilroy High, the lady spikers’ emotions and adrenaline were high as they wanted more than anything to beat the Lady Acorns for the second time this season.
Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go the Lady Mustangs’ way as Live Oak defeated them in four games, 8-25, 25-20, 19-25, and 19-25.
“It meant everything because we beat them last time,” senior setter Kassi Thomas said. “We played our hearts out that’s for sure.”
In the opening game, Live Oak was able to score right away off its first server and continued to dominate throughout. The Lady Mustangs only managed to put eight points on the board – losing by a 17-point spread.
“The first game was a little shaky,” senior Raquel Lucente said. “I just focused. What was happening on the court was all that mattered.”
Gilroy came out strong in the second game to earn its only win. The Lady Mustangs were able to score first on Live Oak and maintained at least a two-point lead on Live Oak for most of the game. The teams were in tough battles at times, each trying to capitalize on the mistakes of the other team. Although the Lady Acorns won a lot of long points, the Lady Mustangs were able to dominate the last half of this second game to come out on top.
“Neither team could make mistakes because the other team would capitalize on them,” head coach Sam Navarez said. “I expected a tough game.”
Live Oak quickly jumped out to the lead in the third game, only to have Gilroy answer right back. The Lady Mustangs found themselves with the lead as the momentum had carried over. However, it didn’t take Live Oak long to catch up and claim the lead. Gilroy battled back to tie and then recapture the lead. But the battle for the lead was never ending as Live Oak came back to jump ahead, only to lose it again. Gilroy would not give up but couldn’t hang on in the end.
The fourth game started out well for Gilroy – but the Lady Acorns crept up and snatched the lead. The Lady Mustangs were desparately trying to get their lead back as they turned up some excellent defense. Gilroy’s hopes of taking the fourth game and force a decisive fifth slipped away as they fell seven points behind.
Gilroy came within a couple of points of regaining their lead that they lost – but Live Oak finished the hosts off to seal the match.
“I think we did awesome. We went out there and did our best,” senior Yanina Gonzalez said. “I think in our hearts, it was a win.”
Gilroy’s leaders for digs were Gonzalez with eight and Thomas with seven. For kills, Palao came out with 17 and Gonzalez with 25. For assists, Hussey had 18 and Thomas had 16.
“I’m proud of the girls. They did the best they could tonight. They played hard and they never, never gave up,” Navarez said. “I’m really proud of the seniors. I’m going to miss them. They’ve been an inspiration to the younger players… and I wish them nothing but the best.”
