Sweet revenge for Mariposa quartet | Merced Sun-Star

LE GRAND -- There aren't many small-school teams with the offensive firepower of Mariposa.

With hitters like Stacy Cann, Hannah Jay, Patricia Schellentrager and Morgan Foley, Mariposa can attack from anywhere.

They proved it once again on Wednesday night.

The Mariposa quartet combined for 46 kills in a thrilling 25-10, 23-25, 25-21, 27-25 win over Le Grand to capture the Southern League championship in front of a large crowd.

Tears and hugs followed as coach Debbie Leonard and her girls headed back up the mountain with the SL title.

"This was the biggest game of my life," said Foley, who finished with 13 kills and seven digs. "I've never been in a game this intense.

"It makes it even better since Le Grand has been our rivals since middle school.

"Sweet revenge, that's all it is."

Mariposa (14-1 SL, 16-3 overall) stopped Le Grand's bid for back-to-back titles.

The two teams split their first two matches this season.

The rubber match was the nailbiter everybody expected.

"We've been preparing for this match the last couple weeks," Leonard said. "What a way to end it.

"We have some hard hitters, but Le Grand gets to everything.

"I told my girls just keep swinging away."

Cann led the way with 16 kills. Jay finished with nine and Schellentrager eight.

Le Grand (13-2, 17-4) battled throughout, but had a tough time adjusting to a bevy of illegal sets and lift calls by the officials.

"It was frustrating because the match was called differently than any of our matches this year," Le Grand coach Gia Pridell said.

Briana Giampaoli led Le Grand with eight kills and six blocks. Jennifer Hansen added seven kills.

"After the match, we went into our room and a lot of the girls were crying," Pridell said.

"I told them they shouldn't be crying. I was proud of their performance. I'm a tough coach, but there was nothing I can say. We played our game."

MARIPOSA 3, LE GRAND 1

25-10, 23-25, 25-21, 27-25

At Le Grand

MARIPOSA -- Kills: Stacy Cann 16, Megan Foley 13; Blocks: Hannah Jay 6, Patricia Schellentrager 5; Assists: Gab Forga 40; Digs: Amber Carpenter 9.

LE GRAND -- Kills: Briana Giampaoli 8, Jennifer Hansen 7; Blocks: Giampaoli 6; Assists: Megan Tilton 19; Digs: Megan Thiel 7; Aces: Giampaoli 1.

Records: Mariposa 14-1 SL, 16-3 overall; Le Grand 13-2, 17-4.

JV -- Mariposa won.