GIRLS VOLLEYBALL FINAL: Los Altos pulls it off, knocks off Bonita in five games, 25-16, 21-25, 18-25, 25-23, 15-10 to take Division 3AA title
In Saturday's CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA championship at Cypress College, Los Altos (30-8) took the first game, then fell behind 2-1, rallying for a five-game 25-16, 21-25 18-25, 25-23 and 15-10 victory over the No. 2 Bearcats (18-7) to claim their first girls volleyball championship after coming up short in title games in 1975 and 1977.
For more from the players, click thread
For the photo gallery of Saturday's championship, click thread
"Bonita's such a good team, they taught us so much about ourselves and what we needed to do to win this thing. We had to work on things they hadn't seen before like our jump serve. But more importantly it forced us to concentrate and work harder. That's all our girls thought about, Bonita this, and Bonita that. Those girls played their hearts out, just like they have this whole playoff run. It started building up about six games ago and hasn't stopped since." -- Los Altos coach Jaime Ornelas
Los Altos junior Jazmen Russell had 19 kills, and senior Meagan Macias had 18, and both came up big in the final game, hitting winner after winner as the Conquerors raced to a 10-4 lead and never looked back. Senior setter Erica Chavez also had a big part in it, coming up with 35 assists. Amanda Brown had 13 kills, and Susanna Beliakoff had five blocks.
"She (Russell) plays with her heart, and so does Meagan," Ornelas said. "When push comes to shove, you have to go with your confident players. We had contributions from everyone, especially our setters. But those two (Russell and Macias) drove us home in the fifth game."
"It was our mental focus. We have been through so much with Bonita that we just had to stay focused and prove to ourselves that we wanted it more than they did. You get into that last game, you're throwing everything you have into every shot. I could see in all of us, we were making plays, hustling, doing whatever we had to do to pull this off." -- Los Altos Jazmen Russell
"This is what we wanted ever since our last loss to them. Everything they did to us before we worked on harder and harder to get better at." Los Altos setter Erica Chavez
Bonita's UCLA-bound senior Allie LaPierre finished with a game-high 21 kills and helped rally the Bearcats from eight-points down in the third game to win 25-18 and take a 2-1 lead. But the Conquerors squeezed out a 25-23 win in the fourth and that momentum carried them into the fifth and deciding game.
"It was mentally tough for us today, but they got us on serve-receive. Even though we talked about trying to prepare ourselves not to come in overconfident, their serving got to us." -- Bonita coach Adriana Contreas.
"We talked about being overconfident because we beat them twice, but give them credit, they're a great team, it's always tough when we play them. We made a lot of errors and we weren't all on the same page connecting as a team. Some of us had moments, and some had great moments, but we couldn't sustain it for a whole match.
"All we can do is hope to see them again, and hopefully we will have learned a lesson. We have to realize a championship doesn't just come to you, you have to earn it. We were so use to getting our way this year, but they're not going to give you a championship. You have to fight for it every point you're out there." -- Bonita's Allie LaPierre.
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Miguel Melendez's prep blog
In the Huddle
ESPN
OC Varsity
San Bernardino Sun Preps
LA times Varsity Blog
Daily Bulletin Preps
Whittier Daily News Preps
LA Daily News Preps
Long Beach Press Telegram Preps
Daily Breeze Preps
Dyestat Track and Cross Country
MaxPreps
Rivals.Com
College Level Athletes
Hi, That was a awesome thread thank very much for sharing this information with everybody.
Obviously as Allie said Bonita came out confident in their abilities and thought they were going to roll right through Los Altos. They didn't stay focused after they got up 2-1. Not taking anything away from Los Altos at all as they are a great team, but when you get to this point both teams are great whether it is because of a single stud player or because everyone contributes. Bonita received a wake up call in a championship game, but also is lucky in that they received the chance to keep playing and try for a state title...I'll be Bonita takes care of business so they can have a chance to play Los Altos in the South Regional finals.
A lot has to be said for lOs Altos Volleyball team who went thru some drama at the end of last season when former long time Coach De La Vara was let go. This season the girls put their minds to a goal and Bonita kept giving them the business. Twice before Bonita with their UCLA bound stud tuned them back, first in three sets and then in four but finally five was teh charm for Los Altos.
For the Bonita girls Allie said it best, "they are not going to give you a Championship". Maybe Bonita has learned a valuable lesson and will put that to good use in the State playoffs. Heated rivalry aside the best "team" won.
Meg, you have grown up to be a great athlete and it was talent you've shown since you were 4 years old. Continue to be the humble person you are. You took charge in game 5 and it was awesome to see you play. Can't wait to see you play in college!!
Allie played on a team with my daughter a few year's back and to read her comments I can only say. "What an incredible young lady she has become'...words of wisdom past her years. UCLA got themselves a winner.
Best of luck Allie!
Yeah tell that to the South Hills players that to what is now a beat up Huskey team...whaawhaawhaa.
Roundball Season starts tomorrow!
c-h-o-n-k ... chonker of the week award:
bonita
double chonk
-S.H FB
-L.A GVB
KH iz mighty silent,
Meagan,
Congratulations! I remember you from your softball days and knew you were bound for greatness. I look forward to following you as you continue your career.
Is this the same Anonymous that I think it is ??
Loved the faces of pure joy on LA girls. Job well done.
Being a men's Los Altos volleyball alum, I'm thrilled for the championship. Having coached with/against Coach Contreas (Bonita), I also feel for her and her squad. As Conquerors, let's be respectful in savoring this win. As Bearcat supporters, let's be gracious as well; you'll get there again. There's no place for trash-talking (in spite of what has happened from previous matches) and degrading at this point. Keep the focus on the season as a whole. Congrats to both teams on having tremendous seasons that should be respected and celebrated!
LA Fan,
Even though your team won, you continue to be the same loser you have always been. Thank you for not disappointing.
Congrats to LA and to Bonita for a great season.
to the Bonita fan that posted the banner Bonita CIF 2009 champs. Thank you so much for the motivation. also St.Lucy's did you have fun on the losing side. Still the same LA 3 ST.lucy 0 we rule the valley when it counts.
Thanks for the kind words, but it was a pleasure and our job to be there, both those teams deserve all the coverge we could give them. I brought another writer with me so that we could have two stories in tomorrow's paper, one covering each angle. Now I'm going straight to bed, :)
Congrats to Los Altos and Coach Ornelas.
Great coverage by the Tribune. How many papers would get up early to make sure the players from both tournaments got the attention they deserve?
It's 2:15. Who won?
I warned you, great match. Jazzman Russell was the bomb------MVP---Great job Jazz,you saved the best for last.
LOS ALTOS GIRLS VOLLEYBALL CIF CHAMPS!!! LA won game 5 with a score of 15-10. Great job ladies! Time to celebrate!
Take that Bonita!!! This year same as last year!!! Big Game Know How Belongs To Los Altos!!!
Signed,
Last Year's Softball Team !!!!
OUCH !!!!
Man I have to give it to you guys as far as your dedication to your craft goes.
Really.....
Because if anyone of you two were at Kiefer (or any other venue) late last night, and then now either one of you two are getting up this early to go and cover yet another sporting event then, wow !!
You guys have got to be working on yout third can of red bull or something right about now eh ??