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By Keith Peters
Palo Alto Online

After winning its fourth straight SCVAL De Anza Division title on Thursday, the Palo Alto girls' volleyball team had every right to suffer a letdown during Saturday's annual Spikefest II tournament at Independence High in San Jose. It certainly was time for a breather.

The Vikings, however, just kept right on rolling – winning the Gold Division championship and stretching their winning streak to 30 straight matches. Palo Alto went 5-0 in the one-day event and improved to 32-3. The school record for single-season victories is 34.

"What a season," said Paly coach Dave Winn. "They're out of control!"

Paly opened the tourney with victories over Harbor (25-13, 25-6), North Salinas (25-16, 25-21) and Carmel (25-22, 25-12) in the bracket play.

The Vikings then faced a very good St. Ignatius team in the first round of the Gold Division playoffs. Despite the Wildcats' fast offensive attack and good ball control, Paly was able to persevere, 18-25, 25-23, 15-12. That set up the showdown in the Gold finals against Sacred Heart Cathedral. SHC had just taken nationally ranked Mitty to five games on Thursday, so Paly had its hands full.

Palo Alto went to a third game again, and this time Paly's tough serving and blocking allowed the Vikings to cruise to a 25-20, 19-25, 15-5 victory and the championship.

Winn was prepared to see the winning streak end on Saturday and even had a speech prepared.

"I always have it in the back of my head," he confessed. "You always prepare for the downside and hope for the upside."

There has been no downside, however, since Palo Alto played in the first Milpitas Spikefest on Sept. 5, going 2-3. The Vikings haven't lost since.

This is Palo Alto's third tournament title of the season, a school record. Senior Marissa Florant paced the offense with 39 kills, followed by sophomore Melanie Wade with 28 kills ("playing some of her best volleyball of the season," said Winn), sophomore Maddie Kuppe with 25 and junior Trina Ohms with 19.

Palo Alto will put its 11-0 SCVAL De Anza Division record on the line Thursday against visiting Saratoga (6:45 p.m.) on Senior Night.

Also at the Spikefest II, Gunn finished as champions of the Bronze Division (ninth overall). The Titans (16-20) defeated Monta Vista (25-16, 24-26, 20-18), lost to Sacred Heart Cathedral (25-12, 25-22), defeated Mt. Pleasant (26-24, 25-11), downed Lincoln (25-14, 25-18) and topped Evergreen Valley (25-16, 25-16).

Menlo School went 4-1 to place 17th of 32 teams at the Spikefest II at Milpitas and Independence high schools. The Knights (14-17) opened the day with a 25-13, 25-16 loss to Leland. Freshman Emma Thygesen had seven digs, two kills and a block, and freshman Charlotte Kohlberg had four kills, three digs and an ace for the Knights.

Menlo bounced back with a 25-18, 25-16 win over Andrew Hill. Senior Sarah Rosales hit .384 with seven kills, and sophomore Natalie Roy had four kills and four aces. Menlo then beat host Milpitas, 25-16, 25-11. Junior Allie Frappier hit .385 with six kills, eight digs and four aces, and Elizabeth Augustus had four digs.

After switching sites to Independence, the Knights beat Crystal Springs 25-19, 25-20. Frappier had eight kills and four digs, while Rosales and Roy had four kills each. Menlo finished the day with a 25-16, 25-12 win over Lynbrook. Frappier had nine kills and seven digs, and Augustus added seven digs as well. Roy hit .364 with five kills and Rosales hit .500 with three kills and three digs.

Menlo returns to action Tuesday night, hosting Sacred Heart Prep in the final regular-season home match for five Knight seniors. The varsity match should start around 6 p.m.

-- PA Weekly Online Sports