March 29, 2007

SPORTS

Pioneer boys’ volleyball tied for share of league lead

Mustangs tied for first with Sobrato following 3-1 win at Gunderson; Pioneer head coach eyeing league title early

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The Pioneer boys’ volleyball team improved to 2-1 in Santa Teresa Division play following a 3-1 wins at Gunderson on March 22.

Pioneer's Ryan Williams blasts the ball past his opponent during a 3-1 win over Gunderson on March 22. Photos by Dan Miranda

The win, which improved Pioneer’s overall record to 5-7, bumped the Mustangs into a tie for the division lead with Sobrato. The win over the Grizzlies featured a game-high 18 kills from senior middle blocker Taylor Luebkeman, who also recorded 12 blocks on the night. And while it’s still early in the season, Pioneer head coach Howard Gibson said it’s never too early to get crucial wins over division opponents.

“It’s important to stay on top of all the games in the Santa Teresa Division,” said Gibson. “…It’s a good B (Santa Teresa) Division.”

After spending the 2005-06 season in the Mt. Hamilton Division and compiling a 2-14 record, the team dropped down to the Santa Teresa Division’s four-team division, something Gibson said he initially disagreed with. Still, Gibson added, his team now gets “the best of both worlds” in playing all but one of the team’s Mt. Hamilton Division opponents from last season in the 2006-07 preseason, while also competing in a division better suited to match the Mustangs’ skills.

“We can play against the boys we’ve always played against and see where we stand,” Gibson said of playing Mt. Hamilton Division opponents in preseason play, “and then we get a chance to win a division against Sobrato, Prospect and Gunderson, where we are playing at an equal level.”

In addition, the 2006-07 season will be Gibson’s last as head coach of the boys’ volleyball program, he said. To that end, Gibson said he hopes his last season produces one thing in particular—a league title.

“It’s what I’m here for,” said Gibson. “Bottom line, it would be a great disappointment if we don’t (win the league title). I can’t say anymore than that. I expect to win and I expect to go to CCS. I expect to have all the whipped cream on top of my cake. But it is the boys who earn it. It’s just my ability to keep them unified and settled, and make sure they play to their level of volleyball, and that they don’t lose track of that.”

One thing that hasn’t changed for Pioneer is the presence of seniors Luebkeman and Ryan Williams, who Gibson credited with providing leadership to a team stacked with nine seniors, six of which have been coached by Gibson since their freshmen seasons, as well as five juniors.

Pioneer's Adam Defigilo goes up for the ball during a 3-1 win over Gunderson on March 22.

“A lot of times, Ryan expects everyone to come to the same level as he is,” Gibson said of Williams, who had six kills in the win over Gunderson. “He is way more mature than his age at the high school level. He’s developing the ability to motivate, as well as lead.”

As for Luebkeman, his presence was felt late in the match, with Pioneer up 2-1 and holding a 21-14 lead in game four. Luebkeman put to rest any thoughts of a late Gunderson comeback in quick order by recording four kills—including three in a row—to finish the match. Gibson said Luebkeman’s improved play was the result of playing club volleyball in the off-season with the Central Coast Volleyball Club, coached by Leland head coach Jason Hilbert.

“Taylor dedicated himself to making sure he was the best possible volleyball player,” Gibson said. “Once he found out that we were going to be in the B (Santa Teresa) league, he wanted the MVP. He doesn’t want anybody to doubt it.”

And while the future appears to be now for the senior-laden Mustangs, the prospects for future seasons are already making an impact, said Gibson, pointing to 6-foot-4-inch junior middle blocker Michael Sunday, who never played competitive volleyball before this season. Gibson said that while Sunday is still raw in various aspects of the game, his natural physical abilities are helping the Mustangs win now.

“Seldom does a first-year player have an impact on the team, and he has made us that cohesive team by now having two middle blockers,” Gibson said of Sunday, who recorded a team-high 16 blocks in the win over Gunderson. “That way, I’m not losing that height advantage when Taylor (Luebkeman) goes to the back row. He has the vision, the blocking ability and he’s learned the game quickly.”

Leland football coach resigns

Jason Tenner to leave Leland for head football coaching position near Sacramento

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

Leland will have a new head coach patrolling the sidelines of Pat Tillman Stadium after Jason Tenner informed school officials of his intention to resign as the school’s head football coach.

Tenner said he will be moving on to Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, Calif., approximately 36 miles east of Sacramento, where he will serve as a U.S. history and world history instructor as well as the school’s head football coach. Tenner added that he and his fiancée, Jessica, plan to begin a life together in the near future, with plans to marry in the summer of 2008. According to Tenner, the resignation was a tough decision, but one necessitated by economics.

“Leaving Leland is not an easy thing to do,” Tenner said. “I’ve had six great years here with a lot of great kids and some great families that I’ve gotten close with. The decision wasn’t an easy one to make, but it was an economic one. Simply, I can’t afford to buy a home here. That’s what it all boils down to. My fiancée and I are looking at starting a life together, but financially on our two salaries, we just can’t afford to do it here.”

Tenner said he informed his players of his plans in a meeting on Friday, March 23, and said leaving the team was a gut-wrenching decision. Tenner added that one of the best aspects of his role as head coach at Leland was working with the players.

“It’s difficult,” Tenner said. “I’ve bonded with these kids and I love these kids. When I told them on Friday, I cried, and I’m not ashamed to admit that. I cried because I love them and I want them to do well. I’ve put my blood, sweat and tears into this program the last six years.”

Tenner began his career six years ago as an assistant coach under then-head coach Kelly Edwards, before taking over as the school’s head coach prior to the start of the 2005-06 season. The Chargers struggled in Tenner’s first season, going 3-7 overall and 2-5 in league play in the Mt. Hamilton Division. Following the season, the Chargers dropped down to the Santa Teresa Division for the 2006-07 year.

The Chargers then blazed through Santa Teresa Division play in 2006-07, posting a 7-0 record (9-3 overall), securing a league title before going as far as the quarterfinal round of the CCS Playoffs, when Leland lost 26-14 to Piedmont Hills.

Tenner said he feels he’s leaving the program in fine shape and hopes to see the program continue to build on its success in 2006-07.

“The program’s in good shape,” Tenner said. “I told the kids on Friday that I fully expect to be coming back to a playoff game next year. I want to see them in the playoffs and I expect them to do well.”

In addition, Tenner will miss Heath Clark and Andy Holland, two high school friends and football teammates who served with Tenner on the football coaching staff. Tenner helped recruit both Clark and Holland to Leland after Tenner arrived at the school, and said he will always remain close with both men.

“The work environment is something you seldom get to dictate, and I’ve been fortunate that I recruited those guys to come here and join me and that just made working here more enjoyable,” Tenner said. “…Working with my two buddies has been fun. We had a great staff here the last couple of years, football-wise. I’ve coached with a lot of great people in the six years I’ve been here.”

High School Sports Schedule

Leland High School
Friday – Boys’ tennis Mt. Hamilton Division singles/doubles tournament, 1 p.m.
Friday – Varsity girls’ lacrosse at Gunn, 4 p.m.
Friday – JV girls’ lacrosse vs. Sacred Heart, 5:30 p.m.

Monday – Frosh/soph golf vs. Lincoln at RP, 3 p.m.
Monday – Varsity golf vs. Branham at ST, 2:30 p.m.
Monday – Boys’ lacrosse at Menlo-Atherton, 4 p.m. varsity and 5:30 p.m. frosh/soph
Monday – Boys’ tennis Mt. Hamilton Division singles/doubles tournament, 1 p.m.

Tuesday – Boys’ volleyball vs. Westmont, 7 p.m. varsity and 6 p.m. frosh/soph
Tuesday – Baseball at Live Oak, 3:30 p.m.*
Tuesday – Boys’ tennis at Evergreen, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Softball vs. Pioneer, 3:30 p.m.*
Tuesday – Golf vs. Live Oak at Almaden Golf and Country Club, 3 p.m.
Tuesday – Badminton vs. Andrew Hill, 3 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity girls’ lacrosse at Pioneer, 4 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ lacrosse at Mercy, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday – Frosh/soph boys’ lacrosse vs. Burlingame, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Varsity boys’ lacrosse vs. Sacred Heart, 4 p.m.
Wednesday – Swimming vs. Westmont, 3 p.m.

Thursday – Boys’ tennis vs. Independence, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Softball at Mt. Pleasant, 3:30 p.m.*
Thursday – Boys’ volleyball vs. Leigh, 7 p.m. varsity and 6 p.m. frosh/soph
Thursday – Baseball vs. Live Oak, 3:30 p.m.*
Thursday – Varsity golf vs. Live Oak at Cinnabar, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Frosh/soph golf vs. Lincoln at Almaden Golf and Country Club, 3 p.m.
Thursday – Badminton vs. Independence, 3 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity girls’ lacrosse at Menlo-Atherton, 4 p.m.

Pioneer High School
Tuesday – Badminton vs. Sobrato, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Baseball at Santa Teresa, 3:30 p.m.*
Tuesday – Softball at Leland, 3:30 p.m.*
Tuesday – Girls’ lacrosse at Leland, 4 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ tennis vs. Prospect, 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday – Swimming vs. Live Oak, 3 p.m.
Wednesday – Track vs. Santa Teresa, 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Golf vs. Oak Grove at the Villages, 3 p.m.

Thursday – Boys’ volleyball at Prospect, 7:30 p.m. varsity and 6:30 p.m. frosh/soph
Thursday – Softball at Live Oak, 3:30 p.m.*
Thursday – Baseball vs. Santa Teresa, 3:30 p.m.*
Thursday – Badminton vs. Gilroy, 3 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity golf vs. Oak Grove at SCCC, 3 p.m.
Thursday – Frosh/soph golf vs. Westmont at SP, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday – Boys’ tennis at Westmont, 3:15 p.m.


*JV or frosh/soph team plays at opposite site of varsity at the same time

For more information about Leland and Pioneer sporting events, go to:

Pioneer Athletics: http://www.phsathletics.com/
Leland Athletics: http://www.lelandathletics.com/
Blossom Valley Athletic League: http://www.bval.org/

High School Scoreboard

Mar. 20
Leland softball 3-2 loss vs. Piedmont Hills
Leland boys’ volleyball 25-16, 25-12, 23-25, 25-12 loss at St. Francis
Leland badminton 8-7 loss vs. Evergreen
Leland baseball 13-2 win vs. Willow Glen

Pioneer baseball 9-7 win at Piedmont Hills
Pioneer softball 2-0 win vs. Westmont
Pioneer boys’ volleyball 25-22, 25-19, 25-23 win vs. Prospect
Pioneer badminton 14-1 win at San Jose

Mar. 21
Pioneer golf 215-217 win vs. Leland
Pioneer boys’ volleyball 25-15, 25-23, 25-18 loss vs. Leigh

Mar. 22
Leland baseball 12-6 win at Willow Glen
Leland boys’ volleyball 25-21, 25-21, 25-27, 21-25, 15-13 win at Saratoga
Leland golf 204-216 win vs. Pioneer
Leland badminton 8-7 loss vs. Silver Creek
Leland boys’ track 75-52 loss at Westmont
Leland girls’ track 65-62 win at Westmont

Pioneer baseball 12-5 win vs. Piedmont Hills
Pioneer softball 2-1 loss at Piedmont Hills
Pioneer boys’ track 71-64 loss at Piedmont hills
Pioneer girls’ track 94-41 loss at Piedmont Hills
Pioneer badminton 10-5 win vs. Live Oak

Pair of 3-2 losses sees Leland softball off to 0-2 start in league

Head coach Joe Gron cites shaky defense, lack of situational hitting
as concerns in losses to Live Oak and Piedmont Hills

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

A 3-2 loss at home to Live Oak on March 22 coupled with another 3-2 loss on March 20 to Piedmont Hills has the Leland softball team off to a tough 0-2 start in Mt. Hamilton Division play.

Leland outfielder Amy Hakkinen slides into third base during a 3-2 loss to Live Oak on March 22. Photos by Dan Miranda

The losses, said Leland head coach Joe Gron, have been tough to take, especially since both defeats were close one-run decisions. In short, Gron added, the Chargers have yet to hit their peak.

“I think we’re all disappointed with the way we started league,” he said. “We just haven’t played up to our true capabilities yet.”

In the loss to Live Oak, Gron said he was pleased with the pitching effort displayed by freshman ace Lindsay Truan, but said spotty defense and a lack of situational hitting have been a thorn in righting the ship. Down 1-0, the Chargers saw the Acorns put up two more runs off Truan, the first one coming on a sacrifice bunt attempt that saw a wild throw to nab Sarah Locarnini at third sail into foul territory, allowing Locarnini to score for a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning, Live Oak’s Brittney Ondich hit a solo home run off Truan to bump the score to 3-0.

Leland’s offensive output arrived late as well. Gron lamented the fact that the Chargers were unable to drive in a run with two outs, despite having runners in scoring position for five of the game’s seven innings.

Leland starting pitcher Lindsay Truan allowed just two earned runs (three total) over seven innings pitched in a 3-2 loss to Live Oak on March 22.

The offense came alive in the bottom of the seventh however, when consecutive hits by first baseman Stephanie Spindler and pinch hitter Hannah Duckworth-Lanzo put runners on second and third with no outs. Pinch hitter Megan Unger then drove both runners in with a key single to right field, cutting the lead to 3-2, before Unger advanced to third on both a sacrifice bunt and a groundout. Unger was left at third however, on a strikeout to end the game.

“We had a lot of scoring chances in that game,” Gron said. “…Unfortunately, we just didn’t get that key two-out hit to drive that run in.”

Still, Gron said he sees signs that his team is poised to turn things around, pointing to the efforts of Truan, who took the tough-luck loss despite giving up just two earned runs (three total runs) over seven innings pitched. A scary moment for Truan and the Chargers occurred in the 3-2 loss to Live Oak when the freshman ace was hit squarely in the thigh by a line drive that ricocheted hard to the left side of the infield. Truan though, was able to resume her pitching duties after being attended to by Gron.

“It’s scary whenever you see your player get hit with a ball like that,” Gron said. “It’s definitely not a good situation.”

As for pairing Truan’s pitching efforts with solid defense and key hits, Gron said his team’s ability to put it all together will come soon.

“Defensively, we’ve been letting her down a little bit …It’s always been one of our strengths,” he said. “But once the defense comes around, you’ll start to see results.”

Mustangs fall short on experience, but are high on promise

Pioneer softball program rebuilds, expects to see results soon

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Pioneer pitcher Alyssa Walker continued to bide time Tuesday versus Mount Pleasant, throwing zeros on the scoreboard while her youthful teammates tried to scratch out some offense.

Third year Pioneer coach Ernie Garcia (left) offers some words of wisdom to a young Mustang on Tuesday. Garcia is the reigning Mount Hamilton Division Coach of the Year.

However, after eight scoreless innings, the Mustangs (4-5, 1-2) fell 1-0 to the Cardinals in the Mount Hamilton Division contest.

The game-winner came on a blooper hit to centerfield that drove in Mount Pleasant junior Michelle Botkins, all after Walker, a junior, engineered a shutout in regulation and connected twice for base hits.

A First Team All-League performer in 2006, Walker is one of the more seasoned contributors returning to a Pioneer team depleted by graduation and circumstance.

Fourth year Pioneer coach Ernie Garcia said that four starters did not return as expected and the Mustangs will be thin on poise until everybody settles into new roles.

“We went into extra innings and lost because of two mental mistakes,” said Garcia. “We had our chances to score.”

Pioneer nearly ended the game with a win during the bottom of the sixth, but freshman Michelle Dills was thrown out at home plate while attempting to score from second on a base hit.

“We talk about what a great season we had last year, going 20-8, and we tell them that I at least want to come close to that,” said Garcia. “The girls are competing and they aren’t giving up. We have added some more practices on the weekends because of all of the new faces. We have had to adjust.”

The major obstacle for the burgeoning Mustangs, who finished third in the Mount Hamilton Division and qualified for the Central Coast Section playoffs a year ago, has been replacing an entire outfield while also awaiting the return of 2006 Second Team All-League catcher Nicki Rebhan.

Rebhan underwent surgery to repair a torn shoulder in the off-season. Her absence sent steadfast junior Alicia Ruiz behind the plate for catching duties.

Pioneer junior Alyssa Walker winds up versus Mount Pleasant on Tuesday. Walker yields less than one run per outing, according to Coach Ernie Garcia. Photos by Justin Petersen

Freshman Jacquelyn Castillo and pitcher/outfielder Ashley McMann, meanwhile, fill void in the outfield, while Garcia also rotated several players to new positions to fill needs.

Walker is the only player without a serious revision to her job description, and regardless of what mayhem ensues around her, she continues to keep Pioneer in ballgames, according to Garcia.

“She is total command of what she wants to do on the mound,” he said of Walker, whose ERA sits below one run per game. “It’s all business when she is out on the mound. And her ball has excellent movement on it.”

Garcia said the only contest in which Walker has surrendered more than a single run was versus Gilroy. In that game, Gilroy scored four unearned runs to win 4-0 on March 7.

Garcia added that upon Rebhan’s return, the Mustangs will enjoy another surge of energy and leadership. The catcher is currently day-to-day while her shoulder builds up strength.

The Mustangs, meanwhile, will face league leader Leigh on Thursday, March 29. With a win, Pioneer can even its record in league and reassert itself in the playoff hunt, which Garcia said is very possible.

“If w can win, then we are right behind them,” he said. “We are just as good as anybody; we just have a whole new team basically.”

Pioneer is also anticipating a big game at Leland on April 3. The Chargers and Mustangs recently came together to purchase a plaque bent for bragging rights and have agreed to square off annually over it.

“Leland is our biggest rival, and we wanted to create some [drama] over it,” said Garcia. “It’s called the Almaden Series.”

Sports Briefs

Editor’s note: Due to the high volume of requests, announcements in the Sports Briefs section will run for one issue only, effective immediately. Announcements submitted to the Times must be 100 words or less and must be received by the Times no later than noon on Monday for that week’s issue. To submit announcements, please e-mail Almaden Times
Weekly Sports Editor Diego Abeloos at diego@timesmediainc.com.

Signups underway for Leland boys’ basketball spring camps
Leland Chargers boys’ basketball spring camp signups are underway for boys in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. For details, call or e-mail Greg Uyeda at (408) 997-2971, guyeda9856@yahoo.com or visit www.almadennjb.homestead.com.

South San Jose Hotshots seek experienced players
The South San Jose Hotshots, a girls’ U11 comp. soccer team is looking for experienced players for its 2007 outdoor season. The Hotshots play in the Delgado competitive league and finished as one of the top U10 girls’ teams in the 2006 fall season. The team has a positive coaching environment, with a focus on teamwork and player development.  Interested players turning 11 on or after August of 2007 should contact head coach Mike Bunge at awalt80@yahoo.com.

Almaden Aftershocks U14 boys’ soccer team seeks new players
The Almaden Aftershocks U14 boys’ competitive soccer team is looking for several new players for the spring season to be part of a winning tradition and a team-family culture. The Aftershocks’ coaches strive to improve fundamental soccer skills, build team spirit, improve physical fitness, create lifelong friendships, and focus on team-building attitudes and having fun. Players are trained by an English Premier trainer.

Contact coach Mark Schrick at schrick@pacbell.net or (408) 391-6664 for more information.

Share your news

Do you have a sports story to share? Contact the sports department at 494-7000 x 217 or by e-mail at diego@timesmediainc.com or fax to Almaden Times Sports at 494-7078.