Saratoga News
Cover Story
Photograph by George Sakkestad
Saratoga's Vivan Wang goes up at the net for the block in volleyball action against Los Gatos last week. The Falcons battled the Wildcats tough, but ended up losing a fought 25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 25-19 decision.
Flying Falcon
Saratoga volleyball players were flying all over the court in a match against Los Gatos
By Dick Sparrer
They were playing for first place in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.
Still, there doesn't have to be anything at stake when Los Gatos and Saratoga collide. Because any time the two schools from the same district get together for an athletic event, a spirited match generally ensues.
Such was the case last Thursday night when the Wildcats and Falcons met for a league match on the Gatos floor. It took them four close games to do it, but the Cats managed to pull out a hard-fought 25-23, 25-21, 22-25, 25-19 win over the Falcons.
Bri Bruce and Liz Trambley hammered 14 kills apiece to the floor to lead Los Gatos to the victory.
Saratoga's Leah Anthony matched the two with 14 kills for the Falcons.
The win was important for the Cats, who improved to 5-2 in the division and to 8-6 for the year with the win, as they cling to a slim lead in the division standings.
With two losses apiece heading into the Thursday match, the winner would come out along in first place.
Saratoga, meanwhile, slipped to 4-3 in the division and to 18-7 for the year. The Falcons are now even in the loss column in league play with Los Altos (5-3), Palo Alto (5-3) and Homestead (4-3) as they all position themselves in the standings, hoping to clinch a berth in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
It marked the second time this fall that the Wildcats have beaten the Falcons 3-1 in league play.
The Falcons, whose only other league loss was to Homestead earlier in the week, was to host Los Altos on Oct. 17 and Gunn on Oct. 19 in a couple of 6:45 p.m. starts.
Anthony knocked down 11 kills, but Saratoga opened the week with the loss to the Mustangs.
The Falcons went four games in this one too, losing 25-22, 25-22, 24-26, 25-23.
