Paly’s varsity volleyball team played a challenging home game against the Los Gatos Wildcats on Tuesday and won, 3-0. The Vikings are now in first place in the De Anza league with a record of 9-2, and will win their third league title in three years.
“I think the team as a whole played one of our best matches all season,” senior co-captain Ally Whitson said. “Everyone stepped up and played the best they could.”
Before the match began, an announcer recognized Los Gatos’ and Paly’s seniors with a brief description of each of their volleyball histories. The Paly seniors include captains Whitson, Daniella Florant and Allie Coleman; defense setters Sarah Kurihara and Helene Zahoudanis; and opposite Eliza Stevens.
The Lady Vikes trailed by a few points in the beginning of the first set and tried to gain the lead with kills from Whitson and junior Marissa Florant. Los Gatos remained ahead and countered with kills from their own senior middle blocker Olivia Coburn-Flynn. Paly matched Los Gatos point for point and was rewarded with cheers from a supportive audience. After several kills from Whitson, the Vikings won the set, 25-21.
“We all fed off of each others intense motivation to beat Los Gatos,” Kurihara said. “The team has been working on focusing on each point and playing at a consistent level. I think we all did that exceptionally tonight, exactly when we needed it most.”
The second set was another close competition between the Wildcats and the Vikings. The Vikings eventually gained the lead after trailing in the beginning. Kills from D. Florant, Whitson, M. Florant and freshman Melanie Wade helped Paly win the set, 25-18.
“I think that our energy and chemistry really helped us in this game,” Wade said. “Not only did we play well, but we were able to get so pumped that [Los] Gatos wasn’t able to match our aggressiveness, motivation and energy.
Paly was able to gain an early lead in the third set, and maintained it throughout the remainder of the game with kills from Whitson and M. Florant. Paly fans supported the team throughout the whole match, and were as loud as ever as the final set drew to an end. Paly finished strong with kills from D. Florant and won, 25-13.
“[This] is the biggest crowd we have ever had and it was really fun to hear them cheering,” Whitson said. “I also think the crowd gave us energy and made us want to win even more.”
The end of the season is approaching, and some Paly seniors will continue to be involved with volleyball in college. Whitson plans to play at UC Davis and Kurihara intends to coach or play volleyball in years to come. Coleman plans to play volleyball in college, hopefully at Swarthmore College.
This was the last home game for the varsity volleyball team. Paly will play against Homestead at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday at Homestead. Homestead is now tied with Los Gatos in second place. The girls will play their first CCS game on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at Paly; the time of the match is still to be announced.