Piedmont Middle School seventh grade girls volleyball capped off an undefeated regular season with a second-place finish in the East Bay Middle School League Tournament, bringing home a trophy for the school and medals for each player.
Coached by Nikkola Yuen, and led by club volleyball players Sofie Bechtel, Sarina Hill, and Jane Saunders, the team went undefeated during regular season play, losing only 1 set in 11 matches. Their match wins were against Head Royce, Willard (2), King (2), Korematsu, Albany (2), Longfellow, Bentley, and Martinez. The wins could not have been accomplished without the teamwork and the quick learning by novice volleyball team players Charlotte Bailey, Siena Botero, Abigail Choi, Madelyn Huynh, Quinn Kan-Miller, Josephine Nackley, Juliana Pouzo, Simone Tornatore, and Abby Walsh-Poole.
Between Oct. 15 and 18, they competed in the 10-team EBMS League Tournament in Martinez against the top teams in their region and the Contra Costa County region. On Tuesday, they beat Walnut Creek Intermediate School in two sets which gave PMS a bye on Wednesday. On Thursday, they played a close match against Orinda Intermediate School, with Piedmont winning the first set, losing the second set, then winning the third set 15-10 for the match.
Going into the final day of the tournament on Friday afternoon, PMS’ first match was against the top-seeded Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School. Joaquin Moraga and Piedmont traded leads before PMS fell 22-25 and 19-25. As this was a double elimination tournament, PMS was not out of the running for the championship and had to turn around and play Orinda Intermediate School. OIS was ready to avenge its prior loss to Piedmont, but the PMS seventh grade girls stayed determined, winning in straight sets by coming back from behind in both sets. Without a break again, they then played their third match of the evening for the championship. The evening and the tournament finally ended with Joaquin Moraga winning the championship and Piedmont Middle School coming in second.
Middle school girls’ volleyball is a fall sport with registration through the Piedmont Recreation Department. A development program is available for sixth graders, and teams are formed for seventh and eighth graders.
Way to go girls! You played very well. We’re so proud of you.