September 28, 2006

SPORTS

Leland girls’ volleyball takes 3-0 win over Evergreen in league opener

Chargers led by Chaulet Scala’s 12 kills; Joyce Chang records six aces in win

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The Leland girls’ volleyball team got off to a quick start in league play on Sept. 19, posting a 3-0 win at Evergreen Valley High in the team’s Mt. Hamilton Division opener.

Leland’s Bree Gwinner recorded five kills in the Chargers’ 3-0 win at Evergreen on Sept. 19. The Chargers were led on offense by Chaulet Scala, who recorded a game-high 12 kills on the night. Photos by Jeff Frazee

The Chargers (1-0 league, 11-4 overall) were led on offense by Chaulet Scala’s 12 kills, while Joyce Chang contributed seven kills and six ace serves. Bree Gwinner and Grace Chang also recorded five kills each in the win.

After a week of mostly practices in preparation for league play, Leland head coach Chris Hansen said her team was ready to go against Evergreen.

“The girls were chomping at the bit for this game,” said Hansen. “For them, I’m glad they came in loose, instead of tight. But this team (Evergreen) is a good team. They didn’t play that well tonight, but we were very nervous playing them.”

After close wins in the first two games of the match, the Chargers started out game three in dominating fashion with an early 15-6 lead over the Cougars. From that point on however, both teams traded points throughout the majority of the game, with Leland holding onto an 11-point lead at 21-10 before the Cougars put together a small 5-2 scoring stretch, cutting Leland’s lead to eight.

The Chargers got help in securing the 3-0 win shortly thereafter, and from the Cougars no less, as Evergreen gave Leland the final two points of the match on back-to-back hitting errors for a 25-15 final.

“We’re kind of that irritating little team that won’t go away,” Hansen said of her team’s ability to play well in close games. “…We just keep digging balls, that’s what we do. If we can outlast them, we’ll be fine.”

The Chargers clawed their way to victory in game one of the match, holding a 16-10 lead early on before the Cougars managed to get within two points at 20-18 on a modest 8-4 scoring run. From that point on however, the Chargers took command of the game, finishing off the Cougars with a 5-1 scoring stretch that featured a kill from Gwinner, as well as a pair of ace serves from Joyce Chang for a 25-19 win.

Leland’s Vicki Chang (10) and Grace Chang (5) team up for a block attempt at the net during the Chargers’ 3-0 win at Evergreen on Sept. 19.

“We are trying to serve tougher, I will say that,” Hansen said of her team’s success in serving the ball against the Cougars. Aside from Joyce Chang’s team-leading six aces, Scala also managed to record four aces to go along with her team-leading 12 kills.

“I think they did a good job of actually hitting the areas that I was calling,” Hansen added. “They were serving tougher, and that is the key. I want them to serve tougher and put the other team at a disadvantage immediately. I thought we did that.”

Game two saw Leland clinging to a close 13-12 lead before the Chargers embarked on a 6-0 scoring run that featured kills from Scala and Grace Chang, as well as three hitting errors by the Cougars. With a solid seven-point lead at 19-12 following the run, the Chargers finished game two with a 6-4 stretch, getting points on kills from Scala and Grace Chang once again, as well as two more hitting errors from the Cougars.

Sports Briefs

Almaden National Junior Basketball signups
Almaden National Junior Basketball (NJB) signups will start Aug. 15. Boys and girls grades one through eight are eligible. The 11-game season starts Dec. 3. For details and signups, e-mail go to www.almadennjb.homestead.com or call Ken Keiser (408) 592-4190 with questions.

Girls U11 class 3 competitive XTreme team seeks players
The Xtreme, a South San Jose Youth Soccer League girls U11 class 3 competitive soccer team, is looking for two players to join the team. Home fields and practice facilities are in the Blossom Hill/Santa Teresa area, and the team currently practices on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Stratford School on San Ignacio at San Anselmo. Girls interested in joining the team should be somewhat experienced with a good attitude toward learning the game. Age restrictions are between 8/1/1995 and 7/31/1996. For more information, Contact Nigel Cooper at (408) 202-2058.

Almaden United boys’ U-15 soccer team seeks players
The Almaden United boys’ U-15 soccer team is looking for a few new players with serious interest in soccer, for all positions, even goalkeeper. The team is a part of the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, Delgado (class 3) competitive league for the fall of 2006. Interested players must be born between Aug. 1, 1991 and July 31, 1992. For more information, contact Kimberly at kiminn@mindspring.com or (408) 206-1198.

Lacrosse registration now open
Lacrosse in San Jose! Registration will be open soon for the spring 2007 season for South Valley Lacrosse.

If you want to give lacrosse a try, reserve your spot today!

Free clinic: Sept. 30
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.—third-sixth graders
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.—seventh-10th graders

Introductory lessons
Oct. 21 and 28, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $20

Private (or group) lessons
$20 per hour, or group rate also available. RSVP to Joy Bender at joy.bender@prodigy.net.
 
Lacrosse coaches needed
South Valley Lacrosse needs at least two coaches for its boys' pups (fifth/sixth grade) and JV (ninth/10th grade) teams. The club is in its third season and has lots of parent support.

If interested, call Joy Bender at (408) 679-1297 or e-mail joy.bender@prodigy.net.

East Valley Softball early bird signups
East Valley Girls Fastpitch Softball is holding early bird signups for the coming season.

Signups are for girls ages 5 to 16 at the Day in the Park event, held at Lake Cunningham Regional on October 7th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Items required at the time of registration (no exceptions) are as follows:

- Completed registration form (available at registration and online) 

- A copy of the player’s birth certificate (to keep in our files)

- The registration fee in full (no scholarships available)

- A complete release of liability and assumption of risk agreement (available at registration and online)

- Volunteer signups (each family will be required to sign up)

Forms will be available at the time of registration or can be retrieved at our Web site: www.eteamz.com/evsltwisters.

For more information, please call the East Valley Softball League Telephone line (408) 291-3248.

High School Sports Schedule

Leland High School
Friday – Varsity football vs. Santa Teresa, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday – Girls’ tennis at Leigh, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Girls’ volleyball vs. Branham, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity
Tuesday – Girls’ water polo at Live Oak, 3 p.m. JV and 4 p.m. varsity
Tuesday – Boys’ water polo at Live Oak, 7 p.m. frosh/soph and 8 p.m. varsity

Wednesday – Field hockey vs. St. Francis, 3 p.m.

Thursday – Girls’ tennis at Live Oak, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Girls’ volleyball vs. Mt. Pleasant, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity
Thursday – Cross country vs. Piedmont Hills and Willow Glen at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.

Pioneer High School
Saturday – Football vs. Leigh, 11 a.m. frosh/soph and 1:30 p.m. varsity

Tuesday – Girls’ tennis at Westmont, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – Girls’ volleyball vs. James Lick, 3:30 p.m. JV and 5 p.m. varsity
Tuesday – Boys’ water polo at Lincoln, 6 p.m. varsity
Tuesday – Girls’ water polo vs. Santa Teresa at Live Oak, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

Wednesday – Cross country vs. Prospect and James Lick at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday – Girls’ volleyball at San Jose High, 3:30 p.m. JV and 5 p.m. varsity
Thursday – Girls’ tennis vs. Yerba Buena, 3:15 p.m.


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

Sept. 19
Leland girls’ tennis 7-0 win vs. Silver Creek
Leland field hockey 2-1 win at Monta Vista

Sept. 20
Leland girls’ water polo 14-3 win vs. Live Oak

Pioneer girls’ volleyball 26-24, 25-21, 25-22 loss vs. Sobrato

Sept. 21
Leland girls’ volleyball 25-17, 25-10, 25-17 win vs. Live Oak
Leland girls’ tennis 7-0 win at Independence
Leland field hockey 2-0 loss vs. Mitty

Pioneer girls’ tennis 7-0 loss at Mt. Pleasant

Sept. 22
Leland girls’ water polo 18-8 loss vs. Davis at Amanda MacDonald Invitational
Leland girls’ water polo 7-5 win vs. Menlo-Atherton at Amanda MacDonald Invitational

Pioneer girls’ volleyball 25-18, 25-18, 28-26 loss vs. Del Mar

Pioneer boys’ water polo team wins Sequoia Tournament

The Pioneer boys’ water polo team hit the trail to Redwood City this past weekend for a tournament at Sequoia High School, and returned home as tournament champions in preseason play.

Pioneer's Nick Noble prepares to pass to teammate Kirk Kaubish during this past weekend's 12-3 win over Half Moon Bay High School in the team’s second of three games at the Sequoia Tournament. The Mustangs won the tournament with a 7-6 win in the finals over host school Sequoia.

The Mustang squad looked to returning varsity players Zealand Hatch, Brian Lopiccolo, Evan Lineberry, Sean Urenda, Nick Noble, Kirk Kaubish and Jason Burke to step up along with new additions Chris Barcelona, Justin Page, Jeremy McBrian, Matt Fragola, Tony Samson and Brian Nichol in winning the Sequoia Tournament. With the preseason at an end and league play set to get underway, Pioneer head coach Scott Kaubish said he’s been pleased with the team’s performance.

"This year we are all playing well as a unit. As a team, everybody contributes,” said Kaubish, who has been coaching the Mustangs for the past four years. "We continue to return to fundamentals to improve our game. The team has the speed, strength and imagination to make things happen and that was evident in this weekend's tournament at Sequoia.”

The weekend tournament pitted the Mustangs against some formidable opponents.

In the first of three games, the Mustangs opened with a come-from-behind victory over Terra Nova High School, with Lopiccolo recording a goal to seal an 8-7 victory in sudden-death overtime.

In their second game of the tournament against a scrappy Half Moon Bay squad, the Mustangs jumped out to a 5-0 lead before letting Half Moon Bay score for the first time in the second period. Still, the Mustangs coasted to victory with a lopsided 12-3 score.

With virtually no rest after their victory over Half Moon Bay, the Mustangs entered the championship match against host school Sequoia.

The Mustangs jumped out to an early lead behind Kirk Kaubish's three goals, as well as a goal from Lineberry, in the first quarter for a 4-0 lead. With some starters beginning to show some wear and tear from back-to-back games, goalie Zealand Hatch stepped up and kept the Mustangs alive, making a dozen saves and grabbing several steals, allowing the rest of the squad to battle furiously with Sequoia before posting a hard-fought 7-6 victory to take the tournament.

Kaubish said that while he was pleased with the win at the Sequoia Tournament, much work still lies ahead for the Mustangs in upcoming league play as they aim for a spot in the CCS Playoffs.

"It will be up to all of us to keep our determination and intensity if we want that CCS invitation, which will be ours when we reach our goal," said Kaubish. "Playing heads up, making smart decisions as we battle will be the key for this squad of Mustangs to realize what they can accomplish together. ...But we cannot forget that we need each other to have the victory.”

Pat Tillman Foundation partners with youth
organization to create positive change

The Pat Tillman Foundation announced a partnership with Youth Re:Action Corps, a Tempe, Ariz.-based nonprofit organization, to engage high school students in efforts to improve themselves and the world around them. The partnership will strengthen the Foundation’s efforts to carry forward Tillman’s legacy by inspiring young people to create positive change.

“The partnership with Youth Re:Action Corps will allow Pat Tillman’s inspiration and actions to reach high school students in California and Arizona,” said Alex Garwood, executive director of the Pat Tillman Foundation. “The Corps Teams will provide young people the guidance and tools to make positive changes in the world around them—something that is very much in line with the way Pat lived his life.”

Launched in 2005, Youth Re:Action Corps provides a high school-based program to educate young people about local, national and international issues, empower them to create plans for social change, and invest financially in their visions of a better world. The program was initially created with support from the Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative at Arizona State University, Tillman’s alma mater.

Youth Re:Action Corps will launch the program in six high schools in San Jose on Sept. 29 and eight high schools in Arizona on Oct. 20. Each school will form a Corps Team of 15-25 students, representing academic, socio-economic and ethnic diversity, as well as mentors from the school and community.

With support from community mentors, the Corps Teams will venture outside their schools to survey the social problems and assets found within their community, through interviews and photos. The teams will choose one problem or issue to address as their Corps project. Youth Re:Action Corps provides student action guides, resource materials, mentors, training conferences and additional tools to guide the teams through the process of planning social change. The students’ social change plans are presented at a winter conference and are eligible for up to $1,000 in financial support.

The Pat Tillman Foundation and Youth Re:Action Corps will partner with San Jose Unified School District to bring Corps Teams to Leland (Pat Tillman’s alma mater), Gunderson, Pioneer, Lincoln, San Jose Academy and Willow Glen High Schools.

The partnership marks the second major leadership program supported by the Pat Tillman Foundation, following the development of the Foundation’s flagship program at Arizona State University, “Leadership Through Action.” The program, which was implemented in 2005, carefully selects Tillman scholars and provides an educational class to inspire and support them as they tackle real-world social problems.

Class I U-14 Almaden Elite take Almaden Champions Cup

By Rich Zuvella
Special to the Times

The local Class I Almaden Elite under-14 girls soccer club started its 2006 fall season with a bang over the weekend by winning its own local tournament, the Almaden Champions Cup.

The Almaden Elite, front row, from left: Kimia Pakdaman; Dominique Johnston; Emily Tregoning; Taylor Rottjakob; Melanie McManamon; Laurel Smith; second row: Michelle Delgadillo; Jamie Cramer; Nicole Traina; Nelly Corral; Erica Villarreal; back row: Leanne Kirtland; Jennifer Zuvella; Ashley Williamson; Kacey Gricius; and Coach Lisa Nanez. Not pictured: Cortney Wood; Coach Stacey Mallison; and Assistant Coach Joel Traina.

Coached by Lisa Nanez and Stacey Mallison, the Elite went undefeated in the tournament (3-0-1), and outscored their opponents 7-2. The offense was led by Laurel Smith, who scored four goals, and Leanne Kirtland, who put two goals into the net, including the game-winner in the 1-0 championship game.

Jenn Zuvella, Kimia Pakdaman, Jamie Cramer, Erica Villarreal, and Cortney Wood also contributed to an aggressive offense all weekend long.

The team consists of strong midfielders, led by Dom Johnston (who also scored a goal last weekend), Mel McManamon, Ashley Williamson, and Nelly Corral. The defense, the strength of the Elite, is anchored by Nicole Traina, Kacey Gricius, Emily Tregoning and Taylor Rottjakob. The newest member of the team is goalie Michelle Delgadillo, who also had a great tournament.

Game one was a defensive struggle versus Davis Legacy Xtreme and ended in a 0-0 tie.

Both defenses dominated this game.

Likewise, game two was a very physical match against Bullard FC from the Central Valley, a team the Elite has faced a few times before. After a 0-0 first half, the Elite scored first, early in the second half, but Bullard answered right back with a tying goal two minutes later.

But the Elite managed to score on a breakaway goal with just a few minutes left in the game, holding on for a 2-1 win. The Elite needed to win Game three convincingly to get into the championship game, and it did just that with a 4-1 win over an overmatched OV Sting team from Morgan Hill.

The championship game was against a well-coached team from Clovis, the Odyssey Red, and featured an extremely well played game at both ends with both teams having several chances to score.

With the score at 0-0 very late in the game, the Elite pounced on a ricochet off a free kick and put it into the right side of the net, just out of the reach of the diving Odyssey goalie. The final score was 1-0, and the Almaden Elite won its third tournament championship over the past 15 months.

Almaden Strikers win Santa Cruz Classic

By Coach Dennis McCoy
Special to the Times

Riding a roller coaster ride through the Santa Cruz Classic, the Almaden Strikers under-11 boys’ soccer team struck gold by winning the tournament championship Sept. 24.

The Strikers entered the tournament after winning their first two league games against Sunnyvale (3-0) and Mountain View/Los Altos (3-1), and placing third at their first tournament, the Santa Clara Rotary Cup.

The Almaden Strikers under-11 boys’ soccer team, shown here over the weekend, won the Santa Cruz Classic on Sunday, September 24.

In the Santa Cruz Classic, the Strikers opened the tournament with a draw against Walnut Creek (2-2), which included goalkeeper Scott McCoy saving a penalty kick to preserve the tie. 

The second game of the day was a match against the tough Mill Valley Revolution. The Strikers met the Revolution in the Santa Clara Rotary Cup and beat them 1-0. In this match, the two teams played equally tough, playing to a 0-0 tie with only 15 seconds left in the second half. During those final seconds, midfielder Michael Hannigan scored an unassisted goal from a corner kick to win the game 1-0.    

To qualify for the championship game, the Strikers needed to score three goals and allow no goals in their first game on Sunday morning against Scotts Valley/San Lorenzo Valley Soccer Club. The Strikers were aggressive on offense and found themselves around the goal the entire first half and most of the second half, but could not score. Then, with five minutes left in the second half, Trevor Ergas scored Almaden’s first goal of the game. 

However, the Strikers still needed two more goals in less than five minutes to advance.  Within two minutes of Ergas’ goal, Colin Mielke scored to bring the Strikers to within one goal of the tally they needed. Finally, with one minute remaining in the game, Mathew Blomquist scored the Strikers third and final goal to propel them to the finals.

The Strikers met the Rohnert Park Cougars in the final on Sunday afternoon and a very hard fought, physical game ensued. The Strikers scored first with a goal by Shaun Steele to put Almaden up 1-0. As the second half wound to a close, Mathew Blomquist scored to give the Strikers a 2-0 halftime lead. The Strikers defense then clamped down in the second half, allowing only one goal, while the offense created multiple opportunities driving the Strikers to their first tournament championship.

Throughout the tournament the entire team played at an exceptional level. 

The Strikers defense, made up of Caleb Sexton, Conner Sexton, Eddie Ruppel and Scott McCoy played every minute of every game and registered two shutouts. Michael Hannigan, Nick Angileri, Jacob Valverde, Trevor Ergas, Matty Mohs and Toby Phimister patrolled the midfield, controlled the tempo and pace of each game, set up multiple goal-scoring opportunities, and scored clutch goals. The Strikers forwards, made up of Eoin Conroy, Colin Mielke, Tanner Haas, Mathew Blomquist, Shaun Steele and Peter Pecora, were relentless in their pressure on opposing defenses and scoring in crucial situations. 

Last year, the Almaden Strikers were undefeated in league play and won their division.  Based on the early results this year, they appear poised to challenge the league with a balanced combination of stingy defense, dominant midfield play, and aggressive and opportunistic goal-scoring abilities. 

Leland girls’ water polo finishes preseason with 3-2 span

Offensive standout Elena Santamaria scores 23 goals in five-game stretch to lead Leland

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The Leland girls’ water polo team wrapped up its preseason schedule with a five-game stretch last week, posting a 3-2 record just prior to the start of league play in the Mt. Hamilton Division.

Leland’s Elena Santamaria (blue cap), shown here in a photo from last season, scored 23 goals in five games last week.

Throughout the five-game span, head coach Eric Rise received some much-needed punch offensively and defensively from several players, including Elena Santamaria, who scored an eye-popping 23 goals throughout the week.

“Teams have pretty much, for the past couple of years, geared everything at Christy (Stibbe) and Courtney (Monsees), and Elena has now stepped up and has really been a threat,” Rise said.

The Chargers started out the week on a positive note, posting a 14-3 win on Sept. 20 over Live Oak, the newest member of the Blossom Valley Athletic league. The Chargers’ offensive outburst in the win was fueled, in part, by Santamaria, who scored six goals against Live Oak, while getting help offensively from Christy Stibbe’s four goals. In addition, Courtney Monsees added two goals to the scoring fest, while teammates Hannah Duckworth and Andrea Henneman each chipped in a goal in the win. Goalie Allison Mossing recorded eight saves as well.

Following the win against Live Oak, the Chargers took part in the Amanda MacDonald Tournament, posting a 2-2 record while finishing seventh overall. The Chargers dropped an 18-8 loss to Davis and a 10-6 loss to St. Francis, while posting a 7-5 win over Menlo-Atherton and a close 11-10 win over Palo Alto.

Once again, Santamaria ignited the Charger offense, posting a total of 17 goals throughout the weekend tournament, while recording 10 steals, nine ejections drawn and six assists. Santamaria scored the final two goals over Menlo-Atherton as well, propelling the Chargers to victory. Aiding Santamaria’s offensive assault on opponents was Stibbe, who scored six goals while grabbing 10 steals and recording seven ejections drawn throughout tournament play.

Defensively, Mossing played well in the cage, according to Rise, recording 33 saves throughout the tournament, including 15 saves in the loss to St. Francis.

Rise said one of the most positive developments throughout the week was the play of Henneman, a defensive specialist who blossomed offensively throughout the tournament with four goals, seven assists and four steals. Henneman also managed to score the game-winning goal with 1:03 left against Palo Alto to seal the seventh-place finish for the Chargers.

“She’s played well defensively most of the year, and now in the past couple of games, she’s decided to step up and take some good shots,” Rise said of Henneman. “…She’s improved a lot this year. She’s always been an exceptionally smart player, and she has intensity. She basically comes out of a game dead tired. Whatever she has, she puts her heart into the pool and into the game.”

As for what’s on the horizon for the squad, Rise said he’s confident in his team’s ability to win in league play, citing all-around team play and a strong bench as signs of good things to come. In addition, Rise pointed to the past two tournaments the Chargers have played in, the St. Francis Tournament and the Amanda MacDonald Tournament, as further proof of his team being ready for upcoming challenges during the regular season and postseason.

“Those two tournaments were critical for CCS,” Rise said. “The win over Menlo-Atherton and the win over Palo Alto, those are two of the teams we’re going to be gunning for in CCS. So those were two big wins for later placement in sectionals.”

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