NCS VOLLEYBALL: VMustangs only loss ends the St. Vincent season

University High from San Francisco handed St. Vincent loss its first volleyball loss of the season and bumped the Lady Mustangs from the North Coast Section playoffs.|

University High from San Francisco handed St. Vincent loss its first volleyball loss of the season and bumped the Lady Mustangs from the North Coast Section playoffs with a well crafted 3-1 win at DeCarli Gym Saturday night.

The victory by the fifth-seeded young Red Devil team was no upset. Even though University came into the game with a modest 14-12 record, and a third-place finish in the strong Bay Counties West League, it was battle tested. Four of the Devils’ victories during the regular season came over bigger Division III schools.

It became quickly clear that St. Vincent would have its hands full after losing a 25-21 decision in the first set. Too many unforced errors by the Lady Mustangs and consistent ball placement by the Devils contributed to an early 13-8 advantage, and University never looked back. Tall (5-10) senior Claire Wilson had two big kills for the Devils down the stretch.

A couple of blocks at the middle of the net by Olivia Gergus helped keep the Mustangs close in the early going.

St. Vincent fans got renewed hope when the Mustangs battled back to capture the second set, 25-22.

Sarah Calabrese, team leader in hitting all season, finally got untracked with some rocket like kills, and the Mustangs matched the intensity of the visitors in a set that was close all the way. Calabrese had three solid hits, and served for a couple of set-deciding points to even the match at 1-1.

While Calabrese was warming to the task, it was her senior teammate Alexandria Vetter who controlled the action on the Mustang side of the net with well-placed assists and occasional short hits to open spaces. Vetter is the St. Vincent version of a solid playmaker, and she again set the playing tempo with pressure digs and return shots.

Also contributing to the bounce back set win for the hosts was the assist making of unheralded junior Eva Clark. Clark consistently got into good receiving position, and set the ball for Calabrese hits at the left side of the net.

University did not wilt, however, and its experience in long, competitive matches showed. The unflappable Devils won the third set 25-18 after jumping to a 10-6 advantage, despite a crowd pleasing kill by Calabrese.

Down the stretch it was all University as it jumped to a commanding 19-8 lead by making fewer hitting errors and keeping the ball in play.

Two solid blocks in key moments by rapidly improving sophomore Aly Kropelicki helped give coach Terri Scott hope in retooling after a terrific season in 2016.

“Aly is a club player who had a terrific season on the junior varsity team last season,” Scott noted. “Her play recently has been outstanding.

St. Vincent finished the season with an outstanding 19-1 overall record and a championship in the North Central II League.

The last time a volleyball team from St, Vincent got past the second round of NCS Division V playoff action was in 2002. That year, the Mustangs lost to University in a match played at the University of San Francisco Memorial Gym.

An undefeated regular season and glossy overall record is the best in the history of the school. The 1988 St. Vincent Section title winner coached by Sue Keller finished with a mark of 19-3.

University advances to the NCS semifinal round against top-seeded Head Royce of Oakland. The Devils also earned an automatic berth in the Nor-Cal Tournament next week.

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