The Santa Clara High School Bruins were defeated in three straight games (25-8, 25-15, 25-17) by the Saratoga High School Falcons in girls volleyball on October 3 at Santa Clara High School. Although Santa Clara played admirably and fought back, Saratoga maintained a sizeable lead throughout each game.
The Falcons jumped out to an early lead and hardly looked back. The Bruins’ losses can be attributed to unforced errors and miscommunication. Time and again, the Falcons were able to place the ball where the Bruins weren’t prepared to defend.
Natalie Kochanowski, Bruins’ libero (defensive specialist), tried to cover as much of the backcourt as possible, several times sprawling to the ground as she reached to cover a shot. Her all-out style of play set an example and upped the communication for the Bruins. Outside hitter, Adrianna Charvet, also dove to cover balls that were about to fall in for a point. But even with the Bruins’ extra effort, the Falcons were too well coordinated in their attack. Falcons’ outside hitter, Julia Lee, literally put on a demonstration in high jumping as she met the ball in air. The Falcons’ Katelyn Mollahan consistently set the ball up for middle hitter, Alex Ferrari. When the momentum seemed to shift to the Bruins, with excellent play by outside hitters, Hannah Fields and Chloe Mabanta, along with middle blocker, Kayla Katzman, the Falcons’ consistency kept the Bruins at bay.
