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Amador Valley Volleyball News > Bay Area News ArticlesEast Bay Volleyball Notebook: Don't Overlook Northgate Matt Smith, contracostatimes.com - 10/20/2009Girls Volleyball The Diablo Valley Athletic League might not be drawing a lot of attention this year, but that doesn't mean it isn't solid. It also doesn't mean you should count out Northgate High this year The Broncos, who are leading the DVAL with a 21-6 overall mark and a 7-0 league record, have shown they are a serious contender, mostly by playing in big tournaments. They have played in the Deer Valley and Castro Valley Tournaments, they recently went 6-0 and won the Dougherty Valley Tournament, and they will host their own tournament on Halloween. "With our league being made up of only six teams, it is very important for us to go to these tournaments," said Northgate coach Jim Changaris. "It really helps for the postseason because we get a look at different competition, what other teams are doing and how we stack up against other teams." But this doesn't mean that the Broncos don't get competition from within their league, because it is actually quite the opposite. Especially with Berean Christian right on their heels with a chance to gain ground on Tuesday night. "Not only Berean, but also Concord, Clayton Valley and College Park. All four teams push us to the limit," Changaris said. "Tuesday's match will be a difficult one because we have played each other already and I am sure that Jim (Simonson, the head coach at Berean) will have his players ready to play." As the Broncos steer toward the North Coast Section Division II playoffs — where they will surely land a high seed — they will start to see teams they haven't seen much this year. Carondelet is probably the biggest The best attribute the Broncos have, and one that will go a long way in the playoffs, is their balance. They are constantly being led statistically by different players. Among their top players are senior setter Rachel Weiland, who is also a great server. Jillian Urhausen, Maddie Hagen and Jen John lead the way hitting from the outside with McKenzie Brantley doing a great job hitting and blocking from the opposite side. Kelli McCurdy and Olivia Torrise control the middle, with libero Hanna Foletta and defensive specialist Ashley Schoonover taking care of the back row. Rankings We welcome 1. Bishop O'Dowd 2. Miramonte 3. Campolindo 4. 5. 6. Foothill 7. 8. Northgate 9. Carondelet 10. Moreau Catholic 11. 12. Piedmont 13. Mission 14. 15. League standings Please send in updates if your record is incorrect. ACCAL Team League GB Berkeley 7-0 - Alameda 6-1 1 El Cerrito 2-2 3.5 Pinole Valley 2-5 5 Hercules 1-4 5 De Anza 1-4 5 Richmond 0-3 5.5 BSAL Team League GB Albany 13-1 - Piedmont 10-3 2.5 St. Patrick-St. Vincent 10-3 2.5 Salesian 10-4 3 St. Mary's 8-5 4.5 St. Joseph Notre Dame 6-7 6.5 Encinal 1-8 9.5 Swett 1-9 10 Kennedy-R 0-9 10.5 Holy Names 0-10 11 BVAL Team League GB Deer Valley 8-0 - Liberty 7-2 1.5 Heritage 6-2 2 Freedom 3-6 5.5 Antioch 2-7 6.5 Pittsburg 0-9 8.5 DFAL Team League GB Miramonte 7-0 - Campolindo 6-1 1 Acalanes 5-2 2 Las Lomas 3-4 4 Dublin 2-5 5 Dougherty Valley 1-5 5.5 Alhambra 0-7 7 DVAL Team League GB Northgate 7-0 - Berean Christian 5-1 1.5 Concord 5-2 2 Clayton Valley 3-3 3.5 College Park 2-5 5 Ygnacio Valley 1-5 5.5 Mt. Diablo 0-7 7 EBAL Team League GB Amador Valley 8-0 - Granada 7-1 1 Foothill 5-3 3 Carondelet 5-3 3 California 4-4 4 San Ramon Valley 2-6 6 Monte Vista 1-7 7 Livermore 0-8 8 HAAL Team League GB Bishop O'Dowd 8-0 - Moreau Catholic 7-1 1 Castro Valley 6-2 2 San Leandro 5-3 3 Arroyo 3-4 4.5 Hayward 1-4 5.5 Tennyson 0-5 6.5 San Lorenzo 0-5 6.5 Mt. Eden 0-6 7 MVAL Team League GB Washington 7-1 - Mission San Jose 7-2 .5 Irvington 6-2 1 Logan 3-3 3 American 3-6 4.5 Newark Memorial 2-6 5 Kennedy-F 0-8 7  |
