Lady Dons fight hard, but lose to Cal High in 2 sets
10/20/2009
San Ramon, CA � The Dons and Grizzlies opened their match with even play as a tip at the net by Yael Sendler put the score at 1-1. Cal High pulled ahead and at 5-4 (Grizzlies), Amador�s Amber Wright took to the service line. Wright�s hard, flat serves and a great dig by Zandi Wesenberg moved the Dons to the lead 5-7 (Dons). The Dons and Grizzlies fought for the next few points. Wesenberg showed quick reflexes in a great dig off of a hard spike by Cal High, and Yael Sendler had another deep dig, but the Dons couldn�t fight off the Grizzlies and the score climbed to 9-7 (Grizzlies). A quick service change was short lived and the Grizzlies kept the score going up. At 13-8, Sara Cohen earned the Dons a side-out with her tip at the net for a kill. Strong play continued through the game, with notable moves by Wright (with a kill at the net) and Sendler (with a powerful dig), but the Grizzlies overpowered the Dons to take the game to a losing finish, 25-15.

In game 2, things looked tough for the Dons as the Grizzlies came out ahead 3-1. Nadia Padilla took the serve for Amador and started off spanking an ace to the Grizzly�s floor. The Grizzly defense got the side out at 3-3, and pushed the score to 6-3. After a quick points for Amador, the Grizzlies again served for 3 and the score sat at 10-5 (Cal High). Despite a great dig by Erica Norton, the Dons lost the side out at 10-6, and some confusion over rotations lost the Dons their serve at 11-7. Cal High looked strong through the long volleys, and here�s where the points don�t show the hard play by the Dons. This game saw rally after rally, but the Dons had a hard time gaining the side out. At 16-11, Padilla served again, starting off with another ace. The Dons played hard and pulled the score up to 16-13, when the Grizzlies got the side out. Tough play by Cal High moved the score all the way to 20-13, when a huge kill at the net by Brianna Day brought the serve back to Amador. Holly Hafford had powerful serving, with 5 unanswered points including an ace. Wright slammed a spike for the kill at 20-17. At 21-19, the two teams traded service, with Cal High getting 2 points to the Dons 1 point, and the score progressed 23-20, 23-21, 24-21. Both teams were sweating as the volleys were long and challenging. At 24-22, Haley Traynor took over service, and delivered her usual hard, flat serve, but the Cal High defense was strong, and the second game went to the Grizzlies. 25-22 (Cal High).

Spectators saw great play by both teams today. Great teamwork, Dons � get ready for your match against San Ramon at home!