Tears, smiles and countless emotions ran from the time the
varsity volleyball team began putting on their red, long sleeve shirts and
spandex to the moment when the last point was made and the Lady Grizzlies
walked off their home court, for the last time.
And honestly, the eight seniors that played their last night
home game will probably carry the emotions over into the next few days –
replaying the dives and saves that many players made and remembering the
constant struggle of trying to beat the best team in the East Yosemite League
in their minds.
Emotional night for the Lady Grizzlies.
Photo by Marissa Martinez
The Granite Hills High School Grizzlies fell to the Tulare
Western High School Lady Mustangs in
four games – 28-26, 25-15, 25-20, 25-20.
“They are a tough team,” said senior Deanna Alamillo. “We
played hard, but we should have played harder for all four games.”
Being “pumped up” was the key to winning the first match for
the Lady Grizzlies. Seniors Vanessa Alcantar and Jennifer Landers took charge
on the court, helping out any team member that get down on themselves. Alcantar
finished off the night with six kills and seven digs.
And Landers did not just have 21 assists, but she also had
one of her defensive nights during all four matches.
Intensity rose during the last few minutes in the game when
scores were just 25-24 and 27-26. At the net six foot junior Emily Fetchner
played her heart out for the last point
that the Lady Grizzlies need – Fetchner helped force the ball to land on the right
white line of the Lady Mustang’s side.
It was a clear victory for Granite.
Fetchner dominated on Granite’s side and put up nine kills
and three tips with the addition of 10 blocks.
“Everyone was really pumped up for the most part,” said
Fetchner. “Our attitudes were really good, on and off the court.”
Just like the last time the two teams met, attitude and
focus on every match played was a key factor to winning. Despite all the Lady
Grizzlies efforts, their opponents took the win the first time in five matches
and they ended up taking this game in four.
The second was dominated by the Lady Mustangs as the team
used every player as a killing machine. Back row and front row players for the
Lady Mustangs used every angle they could to achieve the goal of winning.
And for the most part it worked very well.
The fourth game was the last ticket for the Lady Grizzlies,
however, it slipped.
Senior Natalie Congdon emerged as the best player she could
be as she battled at the net. Congdon ended her last home game with five kills and
three blocks.
It was Congdon’s best night on the court and her father
drove over three and a half hours to watch his daughter. In addition Mike
Congdon, numerous team fathers and Granite staff all painted up in the honor of
seniors.
Deanna Alamillo had 12 digs, Zoe Kisling had 16 digs to end
the night.
Ashlyn Lopez hammered in one kill and picked up everything
at the net.
The Lady Grizzlies will play the Porterville Lady Panthers
on Monday, Nov. 2, away. The Lady
Grizzlies have already qualified for playoffs and the East Yosemite League will
have more volleyball information at a later time.
