City Beach wins national crown By Dick Sparrer There were teams from all over the United Statesand one from Puerto Rico, toocompeting at the USA Volleyball Junior Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, recently. But there was only one gold medal in the girls 15-year-old divisionand that's now residing in San Jose. City Beach 15 Black, a San Jose club volleyball team made up of 11 San Jose-area girls, won eight straight matches to win the age-group championship and bring home a national championship. The local stars defeated teams from Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Florida, Texas, Nebraska, Kentucky and Puerto Rico to claim the title. City Beach standout Caitlin Lawson was named the most valuable player in the division, and teammates Darcy Carroll and Mattie Pasion were named to the all-tournament team. Rounding out the squad were Alex Moss, Kiera Riely, Haley Carroll, Christine Dion, Katie Glomb, Nichole Clark, Jessica Buffum and Betsy Grasham. The squad was coached by Presentation girls coach Steve Santonastaso, and his assistant coach was Ashley Ivy. Trainer Chris Crader, chaperone Linda Pasion and City Beach Volleyball executive director Jim Reilly were others making the trip to Salt Lake City. Pasion, one of the three City Beach players named to the all-tourney team, grew up in the Willow Glen area. Glomb, Dion and Reilly are also Willow Glen residents. |