Menlo-Atherton opens quest for volleyball three-peat

The Cougars (0-1, 4-2) put a scare into M-A in the opening set, but third-year head coach Denny Falls made some adjustments on the fly to the Bears’ lineup. With those adjustments, senior outside hitter Jocelyn Chang stepped up to deliver a match-high 12 kills as three Bears scored in double figures.

“The first set was definitely a little bit tough,” Chang said. “I think we were just not communicating and having that positive energy that we always have. So, I think the next sets we were really going to focus on just being more connected as a team, and I think that really worked because we were able to cover a lot more on defense and be a lot more confident in our offense.”

It was a defensive switch that opened the floor up for M-A’s other two scorers.

HMB sophomore outside hitter Caoimhe Gallagher scored a team-high 11 kills, with seven of them coming in the first set. M-A responded by switching junior outside hitter Sophie Marks to the right side to team on the double block. The strategy paid off. Not only did the Bears hold Gallagher scoreless in the second set, and to just four combined kills through the third and fourth, Marks’ focus on defense gave sophomore outside hitter Gabriella Lowe a chance to show off her ups.

Lowe not only scorched a service ace to give M-A its first lead early in Game 2, the first-year varsity underclassman delivered four kills in the set en route to 11 match kills.

“She’s done great in the preseason, the non-conference games, and definitely playing a good roll for the team,” Falls said. “So, for her to step up today and go all the way around, six rotations at outside, that was a big deal for a sophomore to do.”

Adding more underclassman depth, freshman setter Calista Chou is proving a natural running M-A’s offense. Chou is the only freshman to play varsity volleyball in Falls’ three years at the helm.

“Cali’s doing really well,” Chang said. “She’s very mature for her age because she is really taking pressure very well. Very solid, always smiling, and always ready to come after any ball that comes your way. So, very impressive.”

Chou was connecting with Lowe, Chang and senior middle Kayla Greenbaum consistently through a back-and-forth Game 2 battle. Chou’s ace put M-A ahead 6-5, the first of five lead changes in the set. HMB junior Kaylie Muth tied in 10-all by tooling a block through the middle. But the Bears swung back ahead when Greenbaum put down one of her 10 match kills in the middle of the floor to stoke a 7-0 run.

M-A commanded the final two sets against reigning PAL Ocean Division champion Half Moon Bay.

Where the Cougars fit in the PAL Bay after their promotion has yet to be determined.

“You know what? I don’t know,” HMB head coach Mike Inglis said. “I think we’re just going to try to be as competitive as we can. I feel good about this game. Obviously, I would have loved to have won. But M-A’s always a strong program, and this year it seems like they’re no different.”

Muth showed plenty of versatility an a middle blocker, totaling five kills, two blocks and three aces.

“It’s like every time I see her she’s grown another inch,” Inglis said. “But the interesting thing with Kaylie is I think up until this year, she was trying to figure out her levers. But this year, she’s figured it out, and she’s just going to get better and better.”

The Cougars showcased depth at the hitting positions too. Senior outside hitter Ginger Sullivan and junior opposite hitter Hawhtorn Sell totaled three kills apiece, but were sharp on their limited attacks.

“It’s a big team this year,” Sullivan said. “But I think what’s nice is we have a pretty even front row. Obviously, [Gallagher] is really, really good ... but it’s nice, we have amazing middles, amazing right sides who can all move the ball around and can score effectively. ... We had that last year, and it’s good to see again this year.”

The sophomore Gallagher showed her attacking prowess as a six-rotation player, scoring once out of the back row on a smart fade into the campfire midway through the first set.

“Last year she was a strong hitter as a freshman, and that was great,” Inglis said. “And this year she’s come in and she’s even better. She has a lot of different shots, which is always very useful. But she comes in, she swings hard; and, of course, she needs the sets to make that happen. But we’re able to do that.”

Chang was nursing a sore shoulder Thursday, and backed off a lot of her swings. Still, M-A’s scoring leader showed off a feel for varying looks, and closed out the final set letting loose on a few swings to demonstrate her firepower.

“I was just kind of trying to work on my shots today,” Chang said. “Trying to find other ways to score. I was as confident today in my hitting because my shoulder just got a little bit weird today. I was just trying to find those shots that are working and just trying to keep the ball in play is what really helped today.”