The Lady Mustang volleyball team dropped a tough match Monday
night to visiting Live Oak in four games
GILROY – The Lady Mustang volleyball team dropped a tough match Monday night to visiting Live Oak in four games, 15-10, 3-15, 8-15, 3-15.
Gilroy started out fast – but struggled all night in getting the ball over the net. Live Oak’s solid and steady play did not help the Mustangs either.
The Lady Mustangs, who now has their backs against the wall, are sitting at 2-3 and their schedule does not get any easier with league foes Hollister, Salinas, Notre Dame, and Live Oak once again on deck.
“Our big goal is to make the playoffs. We fear no one and just go out and play,” Head coach Sam Navarez said.
The highlight of Gilroy’s night was in game-one when the garlic girls came out looking unstoppable. It all started with three straight points from Shayna Kiefer – who led the Mustangs with 11 assists. Junior Lourella Palao finished with six kills and also led the team with four blocks.
The Lady Mustangs finished the game with a great dig from Kassi Thomas, who made a perfect pass to Palao, who then set teammate Michaella Pierleoni for the finishing kill. Gilroy looked in total control after a 15-10 game-one win.
But in the final three games, the Lady Acorns stopped Gilroy dead in its tracks with some dominating play. Live Oak was led by its big hitter Kristina Conrad – who picked apart Gilroy’s back row by placing the ball in spots where the Lady Mustangs could not cover.
“She is a very good player, but I felt we could have defended a lot better tonight,” Palao said.
“This one was a tuff one for us,” Navarez said. “I am proud of my girls. They fought to the bitter end. We are OK. The first half is over and done with… We have seen everyone in league and we no longer have any surprises. We will be OK.”
The Lady Mustangs (2-3 in TCAL) will try and rebound against Salinas in Wednesday’s match-up. Each game becomes more important for the garlic spikers as they are hoping to make an appearance in the CCS playoffs.
“I think we could have done a lot better. We just needed to concentrate on our side of the net more,” Stacey Marquez said. “Coach told us we are starting our season over next practice”
The Lady Mustangs look to turn it around Wednesday against Salinas in their 6 p.m. road clash.
