BY TED APODACA: The Pacifica High boys volleyball team is off to a slow start, but has the ability to make a run in the league race. The Mariners came up short, 25-17, 25-10, 25-17, in an Empire League match last week at Cypress High.
Despite the loss and the loss of 10 seniors from last year’s team, head coach David Glover said the team has the talent and enough experience to be a serious threat in the league race. After the loss, he challenged the seniors on the team to bring the squad together.
BY TED APODACA: The Pacifica High boys volleyball team is off to a slow start, but has the ability to make a run in the league race. The Mariners came up short, 25-17, 25-10, 25-17, in an Empire League match last week at Cypress High.
Despite the loss and the loss of 10 seniors from last year’s team, head coach David Glover said the team has the talent and enough experience to be a serious threat in the league race. After the loss, he challenged the seniors on the team to bring the squad together.
“We are capable of winning all these league games,” Glover said.
The Mariners finished tied for second place with Kennedy last year, while Tustin won the league title. So far, Cypress is leading the race, but there are a lot of matches left in the season.
Against the Centurions, the second set got away from the Mariners early, but they battled in the third as they tried to extend the match. Pacifica took an early lead, but the Centurions rallied to tie the set at 7-7.
From there the Centurions went on a 5-0 run to gain control of the set. With the Centurions leading 12-7, Pacifica fought back. They went on a 5-2 run to close the gap to 14-12. Senior Gregory Gonzalez had a kill from the left side that cut the lead to 13-9. Junior Josh Luera had a kill off two blockers and senior John Lim had a tap point on an overpass that cut the lead to 14-11.
But the Mariners didn’t help their own cause. They had a kill attempt into the net to give Cypress a 15-12 lead. After a Cypress kill, the Centurions scored three consecutive points on ace serves. Two of which came on the Mariners misplaying the serve receive. It was an aspect of the game that Glover admitted needs to be shored up by his team.
Despite the loss, Glover likes his team’s chances to compete in a league race that could be tight for the top three spots. The Mariners will be at Valencia High on April 19 for a 4:45 p.m. Empire League match. They will host Kennedy High on April 21, at 5:45 p.m.
