The Season Ends

The South Pasadena boys' volleyball season ended short of their goal to make the CIF finals. After barely beating Carpinteria on 5/11, the Tigers went to Whittier Christian and played some of their best volleyball of the season, sweeping the Heralds in three games. That made possible their showdown with Bishop Montgomery on 5/25 at the South Pasadena gym.

The number 7 ranked Tigers roared to victory in game one over the number two ranked Knights. The Knights rallied to tie by taking game two, but the Tigers fought back to take a very emotional game three.

Up 24-21 in game four, and sensing a huge upset, the Tigers were achingly close. My son, Mark, had a short set in the middle, only to be met by three Knight blockers, determined to deny the score. Instead, Mark dinked the ball, which agonizingly rolled along the top of the net for a full six feet before dropping....on our side of the court. The wind seemed to go out of the Tigers' sails, and the Knights rallied with great heart to win 28-26, meaning that the Knights outscored the Tigers 7-2 over the last nine points.

Deflated, the Tigers were down early and by a large margin in game 5, but came back on three huge jump serves by David Allen to tie at 13-13. Alas, it was not to be, and the Knights put the Tigers away for the final two points, and the quarterfinal win.

I was really proud of our boys. They gave it their all, though the lost focus at the end. Those five games were some of the best volleyball I have seen all season.

So Mark's high school career in volleyball is over. What a great experience it has been, from making the CIF finals two years ago, to this year's quarter-final match. Next year's team looks very solid, though may lack some leadership. One of the great things about this year's team was how "tight" the boys were, they really came together as a team and really supported one another. A great, great, season. And oh so close to going one more round in the playoffs.

For more info on the season, go here.