El Capitan volleyball alone atop standings after sweeping Golden Valley in CCC showdown
The Stable Center was staged for a big volleyball match.
Both Golden Valley and El Capitan high schools came in undefeated in the Central California Conference at 4-0.
There was a big crowd, including the Gauchos student section which held a white out theme and were loud the entire match.
El Capitan (13-2 overall, 5-0 CCC) seized the moment and took sole possession of first place in the CCC standings with an impressive 25-20, 25-16, 25-9 victory over the Cougars.
“I think this was the No. 1 match for us,” said El Capitan senior Hanna Moradzadeh. “We were all super excited.”
Guachos coach Chela Moreno tried to keep her girls from making the match too big in their heads, but El Capitan had to fight through some early nerves.
It showed up in their serving as they made three early service errors in the first game.
“We kept telling them it’s just a volleyball game,” Moreno said. “I think some of them were a little too excited. We’re normally a very good serve team, but I think everybody was a little more nervous and we missed some serves. Eventually we told them just get it over the net. We weren’t worried about placement.”
Once the Gauchos settled in, they dominated.
El Capitan limited its mistakes and kept the pressure on the Cougars (17-8 overall, 4-1 CCC).
Senior Gianna Veldhuis kept up her strong run of matches, finishing with 12 kills and five aces. Reese Cuttone added 10 kills and four blocks and Moradzadeh chipped in with six kils and nine digs.
Setters Wendy Vang (17 assists) and Sophie Fernandez (11 assists) kept all their hitters busy and libero Leah Mendoza finished with 26 digs to lead the defense.
“It’s amazing when they play their volleyball,” Moreno said. “It’s a great sight to see, every thing just clicks.”
“We know we’re going to leave it all out there,” Moradzadeh added. “We’re going to put everything out there.”
Golden Valley struggled to stop the Gaucho runs and swing momentum to their side.
Lauren Gonzales led the Cougars with 11 kills and 13 digs. Ellie Green added seven kills and Amara Rhodes finished with 19 assists.
Moreno says the Gauchos aren’t going to take their foot off the gas now that their leading the pack in the CCC.
“We’re going to keep working hard,” she said. “We’re not going to underestimate any team. In the CCC anyone can beat you. I tell my girls we don’t ever get a day off. We’re going to keep working because we know the other teams are going to be gunning for us now.”
