Lady Trojans slip by Carmichaels, 3-2
CARMICHAELS — There’s one thing for sure about Section 2-A volleyball this year, you can predict the unpredictable.
In another five-set classic, California slipped by Carmichaels, 3-2, Thursday night to pick up a critical road win as the section schedule nears the halfway point.
The scores were 15-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-12 and 15-12.
“This is what high school volleyball is all about,” Cal coach Rene Pascoe said. “It was a great atmosphere and two great teams. Honestly, I think our girls stepped up and we wanted it more in those final two sets. Their mentality was that they were not coming out of this gym without winning.”
Both teams are now 4-2 in the section and are tied for second place in the section behind Frazier and Geibel Catholic, who both stand at 5-1. Carmichaels handed Frazier its only loss, while Cal did the same to Geibel.
“We have been working better as a team the last two weeks,” Pascoe said. “We started the section 1-2 and now we are 5-2. Now we know what to expect from each other. Tonight was a huge win. They knew the importance of this game on the road.”
Frazier and Geibel will meet Tuesday, while California hosts Bentworth and Carmichaels visits Mapletown.
“It was a well-played on both sides,” Carmichaels coach Ashley Shoemaker said. “I think in the final two sets they were the more aggressive team and were able to put some late runs together. Both teams dug the ball very well to set up their offense. We both have a lot of height at the net and there was a lot of kills tonight.”
The Lady Mikes jumped out to an early 11-3 advantage in the opening set, but the visitors countered with a run and cut the deficit to 20-14.
Carmichaels rebounded with a 5-1 spurt to close out the first set, as Aubree Ferek collected five kills in the set.
“It was a tough loss against Geibel (on Tuesday), but the girls refocused the very next day,” Shoemaker said. “These girls are experienced and we wanted to prove ourselves again. It showed in the opening set, that was our best set of the night.”
The Lady Trojans responded in the second set and broke away from a 9-9 tie with a 10-2 rally. Both squads traded points, but Cal’s Anna Gillispie closed out the second set with a kill to give the Lady Trojans’ a 25-18 win.
“Anna is a great all-around player,” Pascoe said. “She was phenomenal tonight. She’s a great leader and really keeps our team together out there on the court. She never leaves the court and she knows how to push the girls.”
In a seesaw third set, Carmichaels was able to get separation from an 8-8 deadlock with a 13-5 run. Kristina Aeschbacher tallied three kills and two blocks in the run.
Leading 21-15, the Lady Mikes picked up the 25-20 win to go up 2-1, as Aeschbacher put an exclamation mark with a huge block for the set’s final point.
Just like in the second set, Cal had a good response in the fourth set and opened up things with a 10-4 lead. Carmichaels couldn’t muster a comeback, as the Lady Trojans closed out the set with a 9-3 spurt.
After the teams exchanged points to start the fifth set, the Lady Trojans grabbed a 12-11 lead after a block by Gillispie that forced the home team to call a time out.
Carmichaels’ Taylor Christopher recorded a kill on the next rally to knot things up at 12-12, but Cal scored the final three points for the huge road win.
Gillispie had a double-double for the Lady Trojans with 15 kills and 10 blocks. Addie O’Savage and Marissa Bitoni added nine and six kills, respectively, while Ina Helmick dished out 32 assists.
For Carmichaels, Aeschbacher was credited with 12 kills and eight blocks, while Ferek ended her night with 18 digs and 11 kills.
Jadyn Barnish (24) and Grace Kerr (20) led the team in assists, while Meighan Spishock (17 service points/7 kills) and Michaela Ricco (23 digs/8 service points) had steady performances for the Lady Mikes.