Willow Glen Resident

Sports

Rams breeze by Mt. Madonna, Monterey in volleyball playoffs

By Dick Sparrer

There are some matches that are more important than others for Jef Wind and his Willow Glen volleyball team.

Beating a private school is always nice, and the Rams did that three times this year with wins over Archbishop Mitty, Serra and Valley Christian.

Beating anyone in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League is gratifying, and they did that eight out of 10 times to finish second to only Leigh in the division race.

And beating Leland is always a pleasure, especially when that win comes in the annual Tiki Match.

But most of all, winning a match in the Central Coast Section tournament is an annual team goal for the Rams. And this year they did--not once, but twice.

The Rams opened the CCS playoffs with back-to-back upset victories over Monterey and Mt. Madonna to advance to the semi-final round of the tourney.

Willow Glen, the No. 10 seed with a 20-13 season record, opened against No. 7 Monterey (23-8) and pulled out a 25-20, 24-26, 25-23, 25-12 win to move into the quarterfinals against No. 2 seed Mt. Madonna (26-4). The Rams rolled in that one, winning 25-18, 25-20, 26-24, to win a place in the semi's.

Willow Glen, 22-13 for the year, was to face No. 3 Bellarmine (35-8) on Tuesday, with the winner moving into the CCS championship match set for May 17, 7 p.m., at Independence against the No. 1 Homestead (36-3)-No. 8 Leigh (29-9) winner.

The Rams are led by senior middle blocker Tobin Chase, who was the Mt. Hamilton Division's Sophomore of the Year in 2005 and Junior of the Year in 2006, and senior setter Robby Paine, a returning all-leaguer for the Rams.

Of Willow Glen's 22 wins this season, four have come against rival Leland--two in tournament play, and two more in league play. The final win came in the annual Tiki Match when the Rams and Chargers play for the right to hold the prestigious Tiki award for a year.

The Rams, who won the Tiki in 2004 and 2005, lost to Leland in the Tiki Match last season, but reclaimed the trophy with a victory over the Chargers this spring.

Along with Chase and Paine, seniors on the Willow Glen squad this season include Evan Bishop, Chad Camp, Billy Hanh and Robby Harris. Juniors include Greg Baker, Spencer Dong, Francila Loya, Shawn Rooney and David Silva. Sophomore Jaime Diaz is also a starter on the Willow Glen squad.