Sure Set: Presentation's Dawn Stanley sets the ball in last week's Northern California championship match against El Molino. The Panthers ended up losing in four games to the Lions.
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Panthers fall in NorCal title match
Presentation girls finish 27-8 overall
By Dick Sparrer
It's been quite a four-year run for Presentation volleyball players Sarah Nadler and Taylor Rayfield.
The two have each played four years of varsity volleyball for the Panthers, and they've enjoyed more than their share of team and personal success.
But their illustrious careers came to an abrupt halt last Tuesday night when the Panthers lost a four-game decision to El Molino in the State Division III tournament.
The Panthers lost 3-15, 15-12, 15-11, 15-13 to the Lions. With the win, El Molino clinched the Northern California championship and earned a place in the state finals.
For Presentation, it marked the end of the year. Still, it's been quite a run for Nadler, Rayfield and the Panthers.
Included among the accomplishments for Presentation this year were a Central Coast Section Division III championship, a runner-up finish in Northern California and a 27-8 season record.
Not too bad.
Nadler, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, and Rayfield, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter, were two of four seniors playing their final career match against El Molino. Setter Shannon Eagle and 6-foot middle blocker Adriana LeBaron also wrapped up great Presentation careers in the bout with the Lions. Both were three-year varsity players for the Panthers.
Nadler and LeBaron hammered down 13 kills apiece in the NorCal title game against El Molino, but it wasn't enough for the Panthers.
The loss of the four talented seniors to graduation will be a concern for Presentation head coach Stephen Santonastaso, but he has a solid corps of returners expected back for the 2002 season next fall.
Topping the list are talented juniors Katie Turley-Molony, a 6-foot middle blocker who has now played three varsity seasons, and Paris Raissinia, a 6-foot outside hitter who also has three years of varsity experience. Outside hitters Dawn Stanley, a junior, and Therese Vinal, a sophomore, are other talented players due back next season.
Juniors Lauren Petro, Juliana Fernandez, Jackie Newman and Natalie Conte and sophomores Rochelle Ayala, Nicole Bowland and Francesca Farinacci were other members of the Presentation varsity squad this fall.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
