Sonora in driver's seat in VOL volleyball

By Stu Rosenberg
srosenberg@modbee.com

E-Mail

reprint or license

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

The race for the Valley Oak League volleyball title is far from over, but Sonora clearly has control.

Led by twin sisters Hanah and Sarah Blume, the Wildcats convincingly won last Wednesday's battle of VOL unbeatens with Oakdale, sweeping the visiting Mustangs 25-18, 25-17, 25-22 and improving to 7-0 in the VOL and 10-1 overall.

"It was pretty exciting," said Sonora coach Kathy Spotorno.

The Blume twins left their stamp all over the match, with Hanah getting 17 kills and Sarah contributing 21 assists to the Wildcats' seventh win in a row.

"It felt so good," said Hanah. "We just played really good as a team and never let down."

"We came really prepared to play that game," said Sarah. "Everyone was just on top of their game."

The Blumes, seniors, have been on top of their games all season, said Spotorno.

"They bring leadership, a competitive edge and athleticism," Spotorno said. "They set the tempo. Hanah is probably the hardest-hitting outside hitter in the league, and Sarah's great on defense and setting up the offense."

Sonora's success hasn't solely been a Blume production.

Seniors Brittany Malone and Jenna Milnik control the middle, Patricia Gallagher, another senior, helps set up the Wildcats' offense, and serve-and-receive duties are aptly handled by the senior-junior combination of Ashley Pittman and Kelli Keefe.

"We have grown a lot," said Pittman. "I think the Oakdale game was our best moment this season. We were so together and everything finally just clicked."

The Wildcats had Oakdale on their collective minds long before the teams finally met.

"We prepared for it about two games before we played them," said Malone. "The other games were almost like practice games for Oakdale. Everyone was really excited. I know there were a lot of nerves going, but it was good."

Spotorno calls this group one of Sonora's best.

"We just don't have any real weaknesses," said Spotorno. "This particular group of seniors is athletic, they're strong and they're very competitive.

"I really think that this is one of the stronger teams we've seen at Sonora in a while and I think we're gonna do quite well. Their goal is to make it to Sections, and they're pretty determined."

Much of that determination comes from last year's disappointing Sac-Joaquin Section Division II quarterfinal loss to Placer of Auburn.

"At the end of last season, when we lost that playoff game and we were in the huddle for last time, they said 'We're going further next year,' " Spotorno recalled. "They weren't ready to end the season; they were ready to get back on the court and do it all over again.

"They were that committed that early. They weren't licking their wounds or feeling sorry for themselves. They were like 'We're going for it, Spot. We're gonna take Oakdale both times. We're going back to sections and we're going further.' "

With versatility and power, that could become a reality.

But this time, said Malone, the Wildcats won't be content with simply reaching the playoffs.

"I think we're gonna go far," said Malone.