Sports Wrap Sports Wrap (September 24, 2004)

Damm leads Spartan winning streak

Last week, the Mountain View volleyball team extended its league record to 7-3 by beating Palo Alto in four games (25-15, 25-23, 11-25, 25-20), Monta Vista in five (25-14, 23-25, 25-15, 25-23, 15-13) and Branham in three (25-19, 25-20, 25-20).

"Setter Abby Damm is really the reason we are having such great success," said coach Gerrie Phillips. "She is running our offense and chasing down balls and getting her hands on everything."

In addition to blocking outside hitters, playing defense and attacking at the net, Damm is one of the most consistent servers, leading the team with 32 aces.

After splitting her chin during a game against Menlo Atherton on Sept. 9, Chelsea Ligda returned to play last week with seven stitches, 17 kills against Palo Alto and eight kills against Monta Vista.

The Spartans face Homestead on Sept. 28.

MV runners set new records

The Mountain View boys and girls cross-country teams opened their season with two second-place finishes and four new school records.

At the Fremont High School Firebird Invitational on Sept. 16, the girls placed third and the boys fourth on the 2.05-mile course.

Tania Morrimoto set a new school record, placing seventh in 12:47 as did Roger Huang, who finished sixteenth in 11:09.

Then, on Sept. 18, both the boys and girls teams finished second in the Lowell Invitational at Golden Gate Park. Robbie Reid and Michelle Chester set new school records in 11:21 and 14:00, respectively, for the 2.8-mile race.

"Right now, the kids are having a great season," said coach Samantha Read. "There's a lot of racing to do before the league meet on Nov. 2, but if the kids keep working as hard as they have been, they'll reach the goals that they've set for themselves."

On Sept. 28, the teams will race in Central Park in Santa Clara against 14 other teams in the SCVAL.

Lancers take own tournament

The St. Francis girls water polo team beat Palo Alto 7-1 to win the St. Francis Tournament last weekend.

En route to victory, the Lancers beat Saratoga 14-1, Presentation 13-5 and Sacred Heart Prep 8-3.

Offensive leaders included seniors Natalie O'Farriell, Natalie Chrisman, Kim Tran and Audrey Yau. On defense, Mary Hildebrand blocked seven shots in the game against Palo Alto.

After playing in the MacDonald Invitational on Sept. 24 and 25, the Lancers will face St. Ignatius on Sept. 28.

NOVA finishes second at World Series

Earlier this month, the Mountain View NOVA 10-and-under girls softball team ended its 2004 season with a second-place finish at the National Softball Association Super World Series in East Peoria, Ill.

The team lost the championship game 3-2 to the North Carolina Hurricanes.

"Although we lost, it was a great experience for the girls and one they will remember the rest of their lives," said coach Steve Duvaras.

NOVA qualified for the series by winning the Western World Series in Seattle, Wash., earlier this summer.

CYSA tryouts

The Mountain View-Los Altos Freedom year-round, Class I CYSA girls team is looking for three to four skilled soccer players under 11 years old.

Tryouts are during Monday or Wednesday practices from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. and can be scheduled with the coach or manager.

Contact coach Kelly Pearson at kpearson@lghs.net or (408) 348-1221, or team manager Tammy White at twhite@elliot.com or 279-1150.

-- Colleen Corcoran

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