Volleyball team earns playoff bid Volleyball team earns playoff bid (November 16, 2005)

by Rick Eymer

The Menlo College women's volleyball team successfully defended its California Pacific Conference title with a pair of victories over the weekend and earned the eighth seed in the NAIA Region II playoffs which were scheduled to begin on Tuesday night.

The Oaks (13-1, 18-6) earned the eighth seed in the region and traveled to meet top-seeded and nationally No. 1-ranked Fresno Pacific in the opening round.

Menlo clinched the conference title with its 30-20, 30-19, 30-15 victory over host Dominican on Thursday. The Oaks finished the regular season with a nonconference 21-30, 30-25, 20-30, 30-23, 15-12 win over host Notre Dame de Namur on Friday.

"We enjoyed another great season and to win the Cal Pac with the amount of injuries we suffered was an unbelievable accomplishment," Menlo coach Bill Imwalle said.

Freshman outside hitter Malia Pires led the Oaks with 13 kills and junior Sanoe' Eselu added 12 against the Penguins.

Kari Shimomura and Sara Bungarz combined for 47 assists as Menlo won its 31st conference match in the past 32. Sophomore libero Christa Hewett had 20 digs.

Hewett added 25 digs in the win over the Argnauts while Eselu and Pires combined for 30 kills. Sophomore Krista Catian added 22 digs.

Men's wrestling

Menlo opened its dual meet season with a 21-17 victory over visiting West Valley College on Friday and then captured the title of the San Francisco State CC Invitational on Saturday with 61 points, edging Fresno CC by four points.

Freshman 165-pounder Robert Davis clinched the win over the Vikings in the final match, earning a 10-5 decision over Josh DeSherlia.

Sophomore Mike Chang recorded a 19-1 technical fall victory at 197 pounds for an important win.

Davis, Nick Berry and Addison Chipoletti each went undefeated in leading the Oaks to the tournament title.

Menlo hosts Skyline College on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Football

Despite its best offensive effort of the season, Menlo dropped a 58-52 decision in triple overtime to host Colorado College on Saturday in its season finale.

The Oaks (0-10) took the lead in the first overtime, and matched touchdowns with Colorado in the second overtime. A Menlo fumble in the third overtime opened the door for the Tigers.

Menlo amassed 614 total offensive yards, including 214 on the ground. Quarterback Adam Hazel threw for 400 yards and four touchdowns. Eddie Eyo caught nine passes for 171 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Kevin Lyle caught eight passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. Cameron Kawai caught one pass - a 58-yard touchdown.

Lamont Davis rushed for 126 yards on just six carries, one an 87-yard romp. Drew Faria and Eddie Conner each rushed for a touchdown.

Women's wrestling

Menlo's Jade Prudent won the 67 kg title while Becky Tavera finished third in the same weight class at Sunday's Mike Clock Open at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore.

Laurin Daniels finished second in the 59-63 kg weight class.

The Oaks are off until Jan. 6, when they return to Forest Grove for a match with the host Boxers.

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