The prospect of facing Tri-County Athletic League favorite
Monterey on the road is a daunting task at best. For a
sophomore-laden team, it can be intimidating as well.
The prospect of facing Tri-County Athletic League favorite Monterey on the road is a daunting task at best. For a sophomore-laden team, it can be intimidating as well.
And yet Gilroy handled its meeting with the Toreadores with poise Tuesday before dropping a 25-17, 25-21, 25-17 decision. The Mustangs had to go at it without two top power hitters, one for injury another for disciplinary reasons.
“We stuck right there with them,” GHS coach Sue Grogan said. “The one thing that kept getting us was their quick middle blockers. Our kids couldn’t block them and our defense couldn’t dig.”
Undersized Mike Leininger and Alfred Medenceles each gave a good account of themselves as they took turns as power hitters. Leininger was at his normal libero position for two of the games and had a team-high 15 digs.
Medenceles again excelled in serving with 13 points, and even had one of the Mustangs’ three down blocks.
Kevin Bruce had seven kills. Greg Calimpong had nine assists.
“I was happy with the effort,” Grogan said. “The boys kept their heads high. They understand that we’re half sophomores and we can’t give up. They’ve really been troopers through the whole thing.”
Monterey, which has won seven of its last eight matches, improved to 10-6 overall, 3-0 in TCAL.
It doesn’t get any easier for Gilroy (3-9, 0-3) as it hosts experienced Seaside at 6:30pm Thursday.
