|
It's an important week for the volleyball teams at Fremont and Homestead high schools—that is, if either team hopes to have a shot at Los Gatos in the race for the championship in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.
The Wildcats are 7-0 and in first place in the division, and hot on their heels are both the Firebirds (5-1) and the Mustangs (4-2).
Neither Fremont nor Homestead play Gatos this week, but they do play each other in two crucial league matches—and both appear to be must-win situations if one team hopes to emerge with a crack at the title.
Fremont was to visit Homestead for a 7 p.m. match on April 15, and the clubs will meet again on April 17, 7 p.m., at Fremont. Two wins for either squad would keep the title race alive—a split, though, might put too much distance between the Cats and the rest of the pack.
Homestead is coming off a tough loss to those Wildcats. The Cats pulled out a hard-earned 16-14, 15-5, 15-13 win over the Mustangs.
Sophomore Jake Rosener led the Homestead attack with 13 kills. Bryan Hiraki supported with five kills and he added two blocks.
Jon Fong dished off 20 assists and nailed two service aces. Sean Chen led the club with 10 digs and Tim Chae was close behind with eight.
The Mustangs, 10-2 overall this year, came back with an exciting five-game win over Mountain View. Homestead lost the first game 15-1, then evened the match with a 15-8 win. The Spartans moved back in front with a 15-11 win and once more Homestead tied it with a 15-4 win. In the fifth and deciding game, the Mustangs pulled out a 15-13 thriller to win the match.
Rosener had an amazing night with 31 kills and four blocks. Hiraki supported with 10 kills and a team-high six blocks.
Fong was the assist leader with 37, and Chen had three service aces and a team-leading 16 digs.
The win gave the Mustangs a little revenge for a loss suffered against Mountain View in the first round of league play. Homestead had beaten the Spartans in the finals of the Oak Grove Tournament back in March.
Fremont, meanwhile, won its only match last week, beating winless Santa Clara 15-1, 15-6, 15-6. Junior Kevin La led the Firebirds with six kills.
The Firebirds, 17-5 for the year, will host Mountain View on April 16, 7 p.m., in between the two matches against Homestead.
|
