Highlanders at 9-3 now on season
The Piedmont High School girls volleyball team swept through five matches to win its own tournament on Aug. 29, defeating Elsinore in the championship match, 25-21, 25-18.
The Highlanders now stand at 9-3 entering a Sept. 1 match at home against Redwood Christian.
“It’s great for the team to have some success on the court,” coach Mike Glass said. “We were really tested the most in our final game. Credit to Elsinore.”
Glass added that Elsinore, “came out and put us behind quickly. I was really proud of the team for showing some grit and not being intimidated and coming through.”
Maika Ting had 13 kills in the final, completing an outstanding day. Glass said that Ting’s teammates voted her “Player of the Day.”
Glass also said that Allyson Huynh had a great day serving.
Piedmont opened the tournament with a 25-11, 25-16 win over St. Helena. Ting had seven of the Highlanders’ 22 kills in the match and Charlotte Bailey added five.
Piedmont then beat The Bay School, 25-20, 25-16. Izara Dando had eight kills to lead the way.
Next came a 25-12, 25-13 win over Head-Royce. Ting had eight kills with Bailey recording five. Lucia Dorsey added four to go along with a block.
The Highlanders then defeated St. Patrick-St. Vincent-Vallejo, 25-12, 25-6. Ting had another six kills while Bailey and Dorsey had three apiece. Dorsey against got a block.
Glass also noted, “Our team has really really solid ball control. Allyson and Olivia (Stevens) are at the very top of NCS in terms of digs which I think reflects what they’re bringing to the court.”
On Aug. 25, Piedmont dropped a very tight match to visiting Albany, 23-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-22, 15-9. Ting had 15 kills in the match, nearly matching the Cougars outstanding Audrey Rosen, who had 16. Dorsey had 11 kills and two blocks.
“Albany played well and they got better as the match progressed” Glass said. “One of their stars, Audrey, really got her serve going. I think Piedmont played well. Do we want to find a way to finish matches like this, absolutely we do. But I think we’re showing good progress and playing good volleyball.”
On Aug. 27, the Highlanders lost at home to Miramonte, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19. Ting had 17 kills, while Dorsey had 10 and Bailey eight. Dorsey also recorded a pair of blocks.
On Sept. 3, Piedmont will play at Salesian.
This article was updated on Sept. 4 with a quote from Glass regarding Albany’s game play.