Los Altos puts it away Los Altos puts it away (November 19, 2004)

Top-seeded Eagles advance to semifinals

By Scott Campbell

The Los Altos volleyball team began its quest for the Central Coast Section Division III title with a 25-9, 25-19, 25-22 victory over Seaside in the quarterfinals on Nov. 13.

The top-seeded Eagles dispelled any notion that they might overlook the number-eight seed Spartans by rolling to a 25-9 win in the first game.

"It's really easy to come into one of these situations and look past the team you're playing ... but we did a really good job of focusing on this match," said Eagles defensive star Erin Saliba.

Although service return had been the Eagles' weakness entering the playoffs, solid passing by Saliba and Gracie Lerch led to an overwhelming Los Altos attack.

"When we get a pass, we know we can run an offense," said setter Michelle Nelson, who finished with 22 assists. "We know we have the hitters to put it away."

"Nelson was very smooth in running our offense, always finding a way to get the ball to an open hitter and keeping the team composed," said Los Altos Coach Dave Winn.

The match was clearly a team effort. With the Seaside defense focusing on Lauren Schaefer -- the Eagles' 6'3" middle blocker -- Erin's twin sister Emily Saliba (9 kills) and Kristen Chou (a career-high 8 kills) made the Spartans pay.

Seaside (24-8 overall) didn't wilt after being dominated in the first game. The Spartans' scrappy defense led them to second-game ties at 11-11 and at 17-17. The Eagles (30-6 overall) answered by rattling off seven consecutive points and won the game 25-19.

After Seaside closed to within 21-18 in the third game, Los Altos turned to its star to finish the match. Schaefer came through, delivering an emphatic kill at match point to send the Eagles to the semifinals.

"The players know this is the year," said Winn. "If we're going to take home a [championship] banner, it's this year."

Los Altos is scheduled to continue that quest with a semifinal match against number-five seed Saint Ignatius on Nov. 18 at Leland.
@email:E-mail Scott Campbell at sports@mv-voice.com

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