Publication Date: Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Positives for Castilleja
Positives for Castilleja
(December 07, 2005)volleyball despite state loss
by Keith Peters
While Castilleja's dream volleyball season didn't end with a victory, coach Tracie Hubbard walked away from Saturday's CIF Division V State Championship loss with nothing but positives.
"This season has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our seniors and I am proud that they were able to achieve it finally, after trying for three years," Hubbard said. "For those returning next year, we are definitely looking to keep our sights set high and try to make it back to state in the near future. We want to prove to people that Castilleja isn't going away any time soon. The volleyball program has just begun to see results."
In Hubbard's three seasons at Castilleja, the Gators have compiled a 98-22 record. That includes a 36-7 record this season, which came to an end Saturday in a 25-16, 25-23, 25-21 loss to Santa Fe Christian in the state finals at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.
"The last two games were close," Hubbard said. "We got over the fact the other team was going to be tougher than anticipated and I made a lineup change so we could have our biggest block against their best hitter.
"We were in the lead several times in both the second and third games, but we couldn't hold on, partly due to the other team's defense that just kept the rallies going. It came down to them having consistent passing in serve receive, so they were able to prevent us from getting any big runs."
Castilleja's passing, on the other hand, wasn't as consistent. That prevented the Gators from making key points when they needed them.
"Despite the outcome, I think the team was happy to have had this opportunity and the fact that we did put up a good fight in the second two games allowed us to walk away feeling good about ourselves," Hubbard said. "I personally wasn't upset with the loss, for we played with resilience and together as a team.
"I think it has been a long season and the fact that we played so well for so many games in a row during playoffs is a feat in itself. Teams get tired at the end of the season, yet the girls stayed focused and didn't have any breakdown like we had earlier in the season."
Castilleja won its first Central Coast Section and Northern California titles this season and became the first volleyball team from Palo Alto to reach the state finals.
Senior Ariel Baxterbeck led the Gators on Saturday with 14 kills and 12 digs. Fellow senior Alissa Flesher contributed nine kills and six blocks. Both were named to the all-tournament team.
Junior setter Katherine Jordan contributed 26 assists and senior Chelsea Ono-Horn was Castilleja's recipient of the Sportsmanship Award.
Other graduating seniors include Molly Doran and Suelyn Yu.
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