Wildcats impressive in Santa Barbara
Volleyball team wins two more in league
By Dick Sparrer
There was no championship for the Los Gatos boys volleyball team at the rugged Dos Pueblos Invitational Tournament in Santa Barbara last weekend.
But you won't catch Gatos coach Tom Jack complaining.
Quite the contrary. The Los Gatos coach was pleased with his squad's effort at the 30-team tournament, which is one of the nation's toughest.
"Many people think that this is the top high school boys volleyball tournament in the country," said Jack. "And it was a very good showing by our boys--the best showing we've had in this tournament in the last five years."
Los Gatos, the only team from Northern California in the tourney, won three of four matches in pool play to figure as one of only 12 teams to advance to the single-elimination, single-game playoffs.
The Wildcats lost 15-7, 15-3 to Mt. Carmel of San Diego, but fought back to beat Claremont of Los Angeles 15-6, 11-15, Santa Barbara High 15-12, 15-11 and San Luis Obispo High School 15-5, 15-11.
Los Gatos lost 15-6 to San Marcos in the playoffs to face elimination. San Marcos went on to play Santa Barbara for the tourney championship, losing to the team Gatos had beaten in pool play.
Shaun Sullivan was the kill leader in the tournament for the Cats with 40 and Max Haueter supported with 27. Fletcher Anderson finished with 16 kills, Fletcher Anderson 16, Neil Perry 15, Trevor Christiansen 10 and Mason McGown four.
The rugged tourney featured top teams from San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
The Wildcats had won back-to-back decisions in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League prior to making the trip to Santa Barbara. The Cats pulled out an important 15-7, 15-12, 6-15, 15-8 win over Homestead, then beat Fremont 16-14, 15-8, 10-15, 15-2.
"We easily handled our biggest rival in league," said Jack of the win over the Mustangs. "Homestead and Los Gatos are consistently among the best teams in CCS."
Sullivan hammered down 15 kills and led the squad with 11 service aces in the win over the Mustangs. Haueter supported with 10 kills, Anderson had eight and McGown seven. Haueter and Anderson chipped in with six service aces apiece and Michael Conry had five.
Sullivan came back with 10 kills in the win over Fremont two days later. Christiansen and Haueter had six kills apiece and Anderson and Brady Smith drilled six each.
Haueter led the team with six aces, Anderson had five and Conry added four.
Los Gatos improved to 6-0 in league play with the two wins last week.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
Los Gatos junior Shaun Sullivan (2) watches as Fletcher Anderson keeps the ball alive.
