The Gilroy volleyball team closed out its season on a positive
note Thursday at Sobrato.
Morgan Hill – The Gilroy volleyball team closed out its season on a positive note Thursday at Sobrato.
In Game 4, Gilroy middle Isabelle Szucs took advantage of a Sobrato overpass and smashed the ball down to the Bulldogs’ 10-foot line for the final point of the match, giving the ‘Stangs the 17-25, 25-9, 25-12, 26-24 win.
Gilroy finished the season 7-21 overall and a fifth-place place 4-8 in TCAL. Sobrato finished 2-19, 0-12 in TCAL in its first year of varsity competition.
“It was one of those beautiful things, one of those picture-perfect plays,” said Gilroy head coach Sue Grogan of Szucs’ kill.
Without two regular starters who didn’t play because they were late for the team bus, Gilroy lost the first game. But Gilroy bounced back with them in the lineup for the final three games.
“It was a tough game in that (Sobrato) placed the ball a lot rather than swinging away. Blocks weren’t as important to us. They were playing safe,” Grogan said. “So it was definitely a challenge for (us). (Sobrato) definitely had improved.”
Szucs, senior outside Jessica Groppe, and junior outside Kayla Meazell led the team with six kills each. Meazell also had four aces in 12 service attempts.
Also contributing were Jennifer Smith (9 assists, ace, dig), Sara Griffis (8 assists, kill, ace) and Vanessa Wilkins (2 kills, 2 down blocks).
Junior opposite hitter Carly Kennedy, a junior who saw limited playing time this season, had a breakout final game. Kennedy had four kills and five assists.
“She was on fire,” Grogan said. “She’s one of those juniors that’s been there when I need her.”
Grogan loses six seniors to graduation, a group which gave the ‘Stangs height and leadership.
“It’s going to be interesting. We’re losing half of our team, but I think the one thing that we’re going to be looking for is to recover some of our height,” Grogan said. “They all had a dominating place on the court.”
