Westlake girls’ volleyball outplays Newbury Park in league opener

PATRICK SHELBY/Acorn Newspapers BLOCK PARTY—Left, Westlake middle blocker Shelynne Hoyt goes up high to try and reject Newbury Park’s Lauryn Gabby during Tuesday’s four-game victory over the Panthers. The Warriors are back on the road today to take on Agoura at 6 p.m. In the Marmonte League opener for both schools Tuesday night, the Westlake girls’ volleyball team went on the road and defeated defending league cochampion Newbury Park in four hard-fought games (25-14, 23-25, 25-15, 25-19).

For the Warriors, who lost junior setter Kelsey Kaehler (ankle) midway through the second game with what appeared to be a serious injury, the win was about perseverance in the face of an unrelenting Panther squad that was determined to pick up its first win of the season.

“That’s a good start to league. We like a good start like that,” Westlake head coach Ernest Rittenhouse said. “It made us a little nervous when (Kaehler) turned her ankle—she had hurt that ankle before—but I was glad to see the backup setters come in and do a good job.”

Rittenhouse credited the Warrior outside hitters for the win.

Westlake junior Alex Johnson logged 27 kills, 15 digs and made big play after big play when her team needed it most. Senior Jillian Lane chipped in with 13 kills of her own.

“Those outside hitters are the ones that pulled us through,” Rittenhouse said.

After falling behind 1-0 early in the first game, Westlake took control of the opening stanza behind the strong play of Kaehler, senior opposite Tawny Summers and junior libero Cathy Quilico.

Kaehler had 12 assists in the first game, with Summers adding eight digs and Quilico contributing 10 digs. All told, Quilico had 50 digs in the match.

Newbury Park received major contributions early from senior middle blocker Arie Fletcher (three blocks) and senior outside hitter Whitney Born (four kills).

Born finished the night with 15 kills and Fletcher had five total blocks.

“We were gunning for Westlake,” Born said. “We’re grateful to be able to compete with them and to be able to come so close to getting a win. I think we played well, but they are a really good team.”

In the second game of the match, the Panthers showed why they are the defending league cochampions with a fantastic comeback performance after trailing by nine points early on.

With her team down 10-1 and in danger of being blown out, Newbury Park head coach Meredith Mangum called a timeout and gathered her young players into a huddle to help iron out the kinks.

The result of the pep talk was a 24-13 run that was fueled by outstanding efforts by Born and senior opposite Chanel Rabano.

“That comeback was hot,” Mangum said. “What we lack in talent we make up for in heart by always giving 100 percent. . . .I always tell the players, ‘No one ever drowned in sweat.’ I like to see them work hard and they showed the hustle out there in this match.”

Although it would have been easy for the Warriors to unravel after the collapse during the second game, Westlake showed a tremendous amount of moxie by continuing to battle for every point in games three and four without Kaehler in the lineup.

Game three featured nine ties and six lead changes before the Warriors posted 10 unanswered points after the score was knotted up at 15 points apiece.

The fourth and final game was much like game number three, with both schools going back and forth for a 19-19 tie late in the contest. Westlake, however, was able to pull away at the end by scoring the game’s final six points to claim the game and the match.

“We were really excited about our first league game,” Johnson said. “I believe we can be league champs this year. I have a lot of faith in my team to go all the way.”

Mangum said she’ll continue to tinker with the Panther lineup to try and find the best possible combinations on the court. She said the results against Westlake were very positive despite the loss.

“We’re a young team and I think this is the best match we played all year,” Mangum said.

“They definitely have the talent; they just have to bring it together. Right now they work as individuals and they really need to come together as a team and work as one. Once they do that, I think you’ll see a big difference,” she said.

Both teams are back in action tonight, with Westlake at Agoura and Newbury Park traveling to play Simi Valley. Each match is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.