Woodland Christian prevails versus Pioneer in crosstown rivalry girls high school volleyball match

By Shaun Holkko on August 25, 2024

The Pioneer and Woodland Christian High School girls varsity volleyball teams kicked off its respective campaigns to conclude the week in the City of Trees.

On Friday night at the Jack Hamlin Gym, the Cardinals (1-0) defended home court by defeating the Patriots (0-3) by a final score of three sets to one.

"Our defense won the match for us," recalled Woodland Christian coach Karen Gellen. "We were just digging ball after ball. Their hitters made really strong hits and we still were able to dig them, chase down balls into the bleachers and bench, it was just a really great performance by our defense keeping the ball alive and making Pioneer play. They kept sending the ball back and that can wear teams down."

The Cardinals earned redemption after Pioneer won a five-set thriller in its home gym last year.

"It's always fun, the kids love it! We've played Pioneer every year for a long time now and it goes back and forth, it's always a great matchup. Annie does a great job with the team there and we always know it will be a fun match. Last year we went five sets and this year we went four but the last set was tight right until the end," Gellen explained. "Last year I was really pleased that we went five sets. Pioneer was super strong last year and I think they just underestimated us a little bit.

"This year, I felt we were in a good position to really compete and like it would be a great match. I don't know if it's so much redemption, just let's play our best, compete and see if we can beat them. They are our crosstown rival, on any given year, you want to beat them. I'm sure the girls felt different because I do have 11 returners. Plus they're playing at home and that's always a great place for them to play."

Woodland Christian decisively won the first set 25-12.

"The effort and energy was just really flat in the first set, there wasn't a lot of communication, which is a key part to volleyball," proclaimed Patriots coach Annie Carter. "We just weren't talking a lot and that's what caused that first set. After that, they started getting after the ball more and communicating. Then the scores got closer."

In the second frame, Pioneer jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and never looked back, evening the score with a 25-18 victory.

"We communicated more and were taking more swings on the ball," Carter said. "In the first set we were sending over a lot of free balls, which gave them opportunities to set up their offense and to give the ball to their biggest hitters. In the second set we did better at net play. We were taking more swings and putting the ball down more."

The Cardinals bounced back with a 25-19 win in the third set.

"We had certain chunks of play that were really good and other parts that were really inconsistent. We definitely were very up and down," Carter recalled. "Those parts of play that went well were really encouraging. It shows that there is a lot of potential in this group and where we're going to go with it."

Woodland Christian earned the match victory by narrowly holding on for the fourth frame win, 25-21.

"It was good to have that as our first game," Carter stated. "It's always nice to have a little bit of a challenge, it kind of pushed them to see what our weaknesses are and what we need to work on moving forward."

Woodland Christian junior middle blocker Bella Galeazzi attempts a kill as Pioneer senior opposite hitter Peyton Thorpe tries to prevent it during a 3-1 Cardinals victory versus the Patriots on Friday, Aug. 23 at the Jack Hamlin Gym. (PhotoSoBello/Courtesy)

Pioneer junior setter Marisa Bryson delivers an assist during a 3-1 loss at Woodland Christian on Friday, Aug. 23 at the Jack Hamlin Gym. (PhotoSoBello/Courtesy)

Pioneer freshman middle blocker Alyssa Robinson leaps for a rejection during a 3-1 loss at Woodland Christian on Friday, Aug. 23 at the Jack Hamlin Gym. (PhotoSoBello/Courtesy)

Woodland Christian senior defensive specialist Gabby Martinez executes a dig during a 3-1 victory versus Pioneer on Friday, Aug. 23 at the Jack Hamlin Gym. (PhotoSoBello/Courtesy)

Pioneer senior opposite hitter Peyton Thorpe smashes a spike during a 3-1 loss at Woodland Christian on Friday, Aug. 23 at the Jack Hamlin Gym. (PhotoSoBello/Courtesy)

Cardinals middle blockers, junior Bella Galeazzi and sophomore Gabbi Jaime, tied for the team-high with 10 kills each. Senior defensive specialist Gabby Martinez tallied 4 serving aces to tie for the game-high. Jaime and senior opposite hitter Celeste Medina contributed 3 aces, respectively. Galeazzi tied for the game-high in blocks with 2 while Jaime and senior OPP Danica Pascoe added 1 each.

Five Woodland Christian players tallied double-digit digs: Medina (18), junior DS April Lutolf (15), Martinez (13), sophomore setter Elena Ganyo (11) and freshman outside hitter Khloe Davis (10). Ganyo set the game-high in assists with 32.

"Martinez played some really great defense and ran into the bleachers for one ball. Lutolf came over to the bench to save some great balls," Gellen said. "Medina was our digs leader from the right back as Pioneer was really attacking her a lot. It was her gutsy play to get after the ball and not let anything drop. She had a great attitude out there."

Patriots junior OH Ally Nunez had two game-highs with 19 digs and 12 kills. Junior S Marisa Bryson and sophomore libero Layla Medalle respectively racked up 17 digs. Bryson added 4 aces. Freshman MB Alyssa Robinson recorded 2 blocks.

"Nunez stood out to me the most (Friday) on the defensive side of the ball," Carter explained. "She even took over on the offensive side of the ball just being smart with where to put it and finding openings on the other side of the court."

Pioneer competed in the Cosumnes River College Tournament on Saturday morning. The Patriots were swept in two sets by each Bradshaw Christian and Granite Bay. The Pride won 25-21 and 25-21 while the Grizzlies were victorious 25-13 and 25-17.

"Against Bradshaw Christian in the first set we had some communication issues. The second set we started to swing some more but just came up short in the end. Granite Bay was a really tough opponent, they're all really tall! They have a lot of game experience but the girls definitely rallied together and did the best they could on defense," Carter recalled. "I think communication and focus are going to be the two main objectives for this year.

"They just need to play more together. Once they get used to playing together, communicating and figuring out the team chemistry, I think that we will see a lot of progress with this team."

Next up for the Patriots is their home opener Tuesday evening versus Natomas at 6:30 p.m.

"They're excited, it's always fun to have home games. The student section comes out and there is just something about playing at home that really gets the girls excited for the game," Carter foreshadowed. "I don't know anything about Natomas but I've been really pushing that we need to swing more, have more of a presence at the net and putting balls down. Once we can do that, I think it will go well!"

The Cardinals will play another crosstown foe, Woodland, on Tuesday at 6 p.m. for the Wolves' season opener on the west side of town.

"It will be just as much fun, it always is playing your crosstown rivals and is a big deal for the players. It will be challenging for us going into their gym. I'm sure they'll bring their spectators out, ours will be there as well, so it will be a loud gym, which is fun to play in, but can also be intimidating when it's not your own gym. We'll probably have to shake off some nerves but if we can steady the play like we did (Friday) night, I think we'll do well," Gellen foretold. "We need to serve well, be smart hitting and continue our great defensive play."