Gavilan closes out conference play at home tonight
For the second consecutive season, the Gavilan College women’s volleyball team will play in the NorCal Regional playoffs, securing second place in the Coast Conference South after a three-set sweep of Chabot last Friday.
The Rams, who shared the conference title last season with Cabrillo, close out conference action tonight against West Valley at Gavilan. First serve is slated for 6:30 p.m.
Gavilan (14-6 overall, 7-2 in conference) defeated the Vikings in four sets on Oct. 15 in Saratoga.
“It’s a little bittersweet because we finished second,” head coach Kevin Kramer said. “But it’s a good second.”
The Rams had an opportunity to knock off the No. 1 team in the state, Cabrillo, and grab a slice of this season’s conference crown Wednesday on the road against the Seahawks.
The Rams dropped two well contested sets to fall behind 2-0 in the match before taking the third. It was only the second set in conference the undefeated (19-0) Seahawks had surrendered all season. Cabrillo, though, breezed through the fourth set to clinch the championship outright 25-22,
25-18, 26-28, 11-25.
“The girls felt like they left (a win) out there,” Kramer said. “Even though we took the third set, we played them the toughest in the first. And in the second, we were kind of going back and forth and couldn’t get that knockout point.”
From her setter position, freshman Melissa Avila, a Gilroy High product, put up 28 assists, had seven kills, eight digs and three blocks.
San Benito alum, freshman Emily Tonascia, ripped a team-high 14 kills and also lead the Rams with seven blocks. Jessica Rux added seven kills at outside hitter.
“I feel, and the girls feel the same, we haven’t peaked yet,” Kramer said. “If you are going to peak, these next couple weeks is the time to do it.”
