Sports Wrap Sports Wrap (October 29, 2004)

Eagles prep for CCS with split last week

The Los Altos girls volleyball team is getting a good taste of the tough competition it should face in the upcoming Central Coast Section playoffs.

On Oct. 19, the Eagles played a challenging match against league rival Saratoga. Lauren Schaefer dominated the net and led Los Altos with 20 kills. The Eagles were able to overcome Saratoga's solid defense and emerged with a 22-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-21 victory.

Los Altos was not so fortunate in its non-league match against Castilleja on Oct. 21. Although the Eagles exhibited "excellent defense and good hitting," according to Coach Dave Winn, they fell short.

"Castilleja played a very tough match. ... [We] came up just short in games four and five," said Winn.

Los Altos (26-3 overall, 7-1 league) will host Gunn on Nov. 2 and then visit Mountain View on Nov. 4. The first round of CCS playoffs begins on Nov. 10.

Spartan football victorious again

Following an emotional win over Los Altos, the Mountain View football team showed its resolve, crushing Monta Vista 38-29 at home on Oct. 22.

Shane Buonos provided the special teams spark. After his spectacular punt return against Los Altos on Oct. 16 set the Spartans up for the winning touchdown, Buonos decided to finish his own handiwork this time. His 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the beginning of Mountain View's onslaught.

Relieved to be rid of the tough defenses that had hampered their offense in earlier games, the Spartans' playmakers began to flourish. Led by quarterback Jon Warmbrodt, Mountain View received key contributions from running backs Alec Nelson and Brandon Hamilton, wide receiver Sky Reeves and multi-purpose threat Kevin Harris.

The Spartan defense, led by Dustin Johnson's two sacks, never let the Matadors into the game. Only Monta Vista's two touchdowns late in the game made the final score respectable.

With three games remaining, Mountain View (5-3 overall, 3-0 league) has its sights set on an El Camino division crown and the resulting ascension to the De Anza division next fall. Next up is Lynbrook, whom the Spartans play at Cupertino on Oct. 30.

MV bounces back from difficult loss

After a disheartening loss to Gunn, Mountain View's girls volleyball team regrouped to defeat Homestead later in the week.

The Spartans fell to the Gunn squad they dispatched in three games in September in a Oct. 19 rematch. Mountain View was defeated 25-21, 25-14, 25-16.

"[Gunn was] a different team this time around. They served tougher and did a nice job of taking us out of our offense," said Mountain View Coach Gerrie Phillips. "We made a lot of mistakes giving them points."

The Spartans were able to shake off that loss in time to beat Homestead two days later, 25-9, 25-20, 24-26, 25-20.

Sariah Alcaraz led the way with a standout performance that included 22 kills and 20 digs. Setter Abby Damm played another solid all-around match with 5 kills, 4 service aces, 12 digs and 32 assists.

Mountain View (22-9 overall, 5-4 league) plays Los Gatos on Nov. 2 before ending its regular season against crosstown rival Los Altos on Nov. 4.

-- Scott Campbell

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