by Mitch Lehman
The San Marino High School varsity volleyball team ended a drought of dual match competition last Thursday afternoon with their Rio Hondo League opener against defending champion South Pasadena. It might as well have been titled ‘The Kate Kutzer Show’ as the tigers’ outside hitter had a field day, leading the visitors to a 3-1 victory by set scores of 25-9, 25-17, 25-27 and 25-7.
But it’s what the Lady Titans did, more than what they didn’t do that will be the majority of the takeaway from the contest as San Marino staged one of the most enthusiastic comebacks in the third set than most could ever imagine, let alone witness.
Trailing two sets to none and facing certain defeat in the third with a 12-5 deficit, the Lady Titans stormed back. Jackie Brougham served San Marino back to within 14-8 and freshman Sofia Sanchez bombed a crosscourt kill to bring her team and the crowd right back into the action at 14-9.
But the Tigers dished out three consecutive aces and two straight kills to take a commanding 23-17 lead, needing only two points to close it out.
San Marino sophomore Corinne Wagner delayed South Pasadena’s gratification with a kill and senior co-captain Charmayne Floyd went on a serving spree, bringing the Lady Titans level at 24-all with the help of two floor-rattling Sanchez kills.
A defensive gem by libero Melanie Leung helped secure set point and the Tigers made an error to give the stanza to San Marino.
The momentum was short-lived, however, as South Pasadena took quick control of the fourth set and never let go. Kate Kutzer and her sister, Ellie, re-established offensive dominance as the Lady Titans scrambled to find an answer.
Sanchez led San Marino with fifteen kills, Floyd chipped in with a dozen while Wagner and fellow sophomore middle blocker Chloe Owen added six apiece. Junior Victoria Shelburne provided offensive punch and also combined with senior Sarah Higdon to provide a formidable block. Junior Nicole Wang provided consistent setting for the Lady Titans, who dropped to 2-7 overall, 0-1 in the Rio Hondo League, but rallied on Tuesday for a 3-0 win at Blair to even their RHL mark.
“We did some good things today,” said first-year Coach Jerzy Checinski. “The rally in the third set showed me we have a lot of heart. There is a lot to build on here.”
San Marino hosts Monrovia this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. and Temple City comes calling on Tuesday, October 14.
Jayvees Fall…
San Marino’s junior varsity lost in two sets to South Pasadena by scores of 25-20 and 25-23, but the Titans showed a well-balanced attack in defeat. Kerry Bayle and Christina Tseng provided steady hitting and Isabel Jess set and served well in the back-and-forth contest, but couldn’t prevail. Sophomore Kate Dugally contributed with five service aces and seven kills to pace the Titans. Olivia Vandergriff and Sarah Gines showed moxie on the serving line while Riley Fox and Sam Mejia also provided offensive punch for the jayvees.
