Young Eagles looking to soar to the top of TVL standings
Girls' volleyball team struggles vs. Carpinteria but pulls out five-game win
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

The Oak Park High girls' volleyball team lived and died by its net play Tuesday night against Carpinteria High.

Although the Eagles were repeatedly called for netting against their Tri-Valley League foes, OPHS (8-1, 3-0) was able to get many clutch kills from its front line and squeaked out a 3-2 win at home.

"This one was a lot closer than I would have liked it to have been," Oak Park head coach Patrick Quinn said with relief Tuesday night.

"We had too many unforced errors and netted too many times, but I'm thankful we still got the win. You have to be able to win the close ones, and we did tonight."

Leading the way for the Eagles in the deciding fifth game was junior Inga McManus. McManus was taken out of the starting lineup earlier in the week after struggling, but she was back in the lineup for Tuesday's game. The junior responded nicely with three of her seven kills in the fifth game.

"I was so happy for her after the game," freshman Rachel Gam said. "It was the best I've ever seen her play. She was awesome, and she really helped us."

Early in the night, the Eagles struggled by losing the first game 25-23. After falling behind in the second game 6-3, Quinn called a timeout to help get his team back on track. The Eagles instantly went on a 12-2 run that helped them pull out the second game 25-18. Senior Kelsey Wilson was vital to the team's attack, as she threw down four kills in the second game.

In the third game the Eagles continued their dominance at the net. This time they were led by junior Alyson Tominaga. Tominaga logged four kills and a huge block in the third game to help Oak Park win, 25-15.

With momentum on its side, Oak Park looked to put Carpinteria away in the fourth game. Up 19-12 after an ace by junior Alexa Micek, the Eagles looked to be in control.

The team, however, couldn't stop netting. OPHS was called for touching the net three times, and the Warriors surged back by going on a 10-3 run to tie the game. Although the Warriors kept giving Oak Park points by missing serves, the Eagles couldn't take advantage and lost, 25-23.

The Eagles were finally able to take advantage of the Warriors' 15 missed serves by pulling out a 1511 win in the fifth game.

"It seemed that Carpinteria kept trying to give the game to us with a lot of missed serves, but we kept trying to give it back with our players touching the net," Quinn said.

"I told my team after the game that to win the league, we have to win these tough, close games."

According to Quinn, the TriValley League should be more wide open than it has been in the past, although, he added, La Reina could be stellar.

"La Reina has really dominated this league by winning at least a share of the title for the last 15 years," Quinn said. "I think it could be between us, La Reina and Oaks Christian this year, and the way Carpinteria played tonight they could be a factor as well."

OPHS features a young team, with juniors Micek, McManus, Tominaga and Alyssa Del Sesto all expected to contribute. Gam, the freshman, is playing a lot, too.

Gam has registered a teamleading 87 kills, including nine against Carpinteria Tuesday night.

"Obviously, her height and long arms make her a great player," Quinn said about Gam. "She's only 14yearsold, so she is still learning, but she is going to be a great weapon for us."

Gam said she was surprised she made the team in her first year.

"Everyone gives me good advice, especially the juniors and seniors who always tell me to keep my head up and stay positive," Gam said.

A couple of the seniors that have given Gam advice are Wilson, Chelsey Brown and libero Britney Messier. Gam said Messier does a good job keeping the team in line.

"She's a great player, and she is always so positive," Gam said about Messier. "She's always full of energy, and she does a great job setting the rest of us up."

As Oak Park goes into its showdown tonight against La Reina, Quinn believes the team has to be more consistent.

"Against Carpinteria we played great in spurts," Quinn said. "La Reina is a good team, and to win we're going to have to play better for the entire night."