Gilroy High’s volleyball team might not know when or where it
will play in the Central Coast Section playoffs next week, but it
will be playing. And that is what is most important.
Gilroy High’s volleyball team might not know when or where it will play in the Central Coast Section playoffs next week, but it will be playing. And that is what is most important.
After winning three games and dropping two in the Los Gatos Varsity Invitational held this past weekend, the Mustangs look to have secured a third-place finish in the Tri-County Athletic League by dispatching the Palma Chieftains in three games Tuesday night: 25-11, 25-23, 25-6.
With a 19-13 record overall, 9-3 TCAL, Gilroy now has a one-game lead over San Benito in the league standings, with a final contest against last-place Salinas (1-12 overall, 1-11 TCAL) scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday night.
Using an assortment of lineups against the Chieftains Tuesday night, Gilroy was able to play people in different spots while also giving more time to reserves.
“I was messing around with things, so [the score is] not completely [indicative of what happened],” Gilroy coach Sue Grogan said. “You never know, you can put someone in a position and it works out beautifully. In my mind, if you aren’t getting everyone playing extremely well, why not mix it up because you never know what will work.”
An example of players being put in different spots was Greg Calimpong and Renz Campos, both setters, playing as outside hitters in games one and two. In the final game, however, Gilroy used its main starting lineup. The result was an easy victory after a close second frame.
Alfred Medenceles and Michael Leininger had 11 and 10 service points, respectively, and each recorded an ace. Steven Valdez had three blocks while Thomas Costa and Kevin Bruce had two. Bruce led the Mustangs with eight kills, followed by Paolo Palao with four.
Leininger led the team in digs with nine.
Gilroy is now expected to achieve its first 20-win season since 2006. Last year the Mustangs finished in the middle of the pack in league and had a 10-22 overall record.
“I expected a lot of things from these guys (this season),” Grogan said. “I knew we could at least have a winning season and I had hoped we could keep at the top of the league. I know my guys are severely disappointed they couldn’t take one game from Monterey … and Seaside (which are currently tied for first), but those are good teams.”
“We’re right on the edge.”
Grogan noted that the work put in during the offseason by her players – many of whom competed with club teams during the summer, fall and winter – has paid off.
“I think these guys did really well to elevate the program from last year to this year,” she said.
The Mustangs will find out where they stand in the playoff picture at Saturday’s CCS selection meeting.
