Steele Canyon volleyball posts major turnaround

East County Sports.com
JAMUL (11-22-05) -- Everyone knew the development of the sports programs at newly-opened Steele Canyon High School would take time. Four years later, those fruits are growing into Grossmont South League titles, most notably first in boys basketball over the past two winters, then football this season.

However, the biggest turnabout among all of them may be found in the girls volleyball program, which captured just one match in 2004, including dropping all 10 GSL matches. One year later, the Cougars posted what may be the greatest single-season rise in conference history, finishing in a tie for second place with traditional power Granite Hills to earn a CIF-San Diego Section playoff berth.

“Last year, let‘s just say it was difficult,” understated Cougars outside hitter KELLY HANSEN. “One player quit, the setter became ineligible, so we had to go through four different setters, the defense wasn’t the best -- it was difficult.”

“This year, the coaches were unbelievable,” she added. “We had a bunch of new players, some with club experience, and everyone stayed eligible.”

And suddenly, all of those 3-0 sweeps were going to the direction of the Cougars. With multiple options on offense, consistent setter and solid defense, Steele Canyon went on a streak to close the season, turning an 0-10 team into a 7-3 first-division ballclub.

“We really wanted the seniors to go out by making the CIF playoffs for the first time,” noted Hansen. “We were bonding as a team, so the focus on the team was to make it -- and we did.”

Despite a 3-0 sweep by Mount Carmel in the first round, there was little disappointment at Steele Canyon.

Hansen and TINA MERLINO were All-South League honorees in voting by league coaches, while setter VANESSA ROBBINS and ERIKA GARCIA were honorable mention selections.

The Cougars also received strong play from TARA VAN WINKLE at outside hitter, ANGIE HARRIS at middle blocker, while LORA HORNER demonstrated her versatility, competing in the rare combination of both middle blocker and libero.

Meanwhile, second-year coach Chad Hughes has already benefited from the club’s success. After coaching both the Cougars and serving as an assistant at San Diego Christian College this fall, he will moved on as the Hawks head coach next season in his first collegiate assignment.

East County Sports.com
JAMUL (10-21-05) -- With their playmaker setter out of town on family business, the Valhalla Norsemen seemed susceptible for the first time in Grossmont South League play. However, reserve setter MICHELLE ROACH slid into the offense seamlessly. The senior came off the bench to run the offense with 28 assists and just a single ball-handling error Thursday (Oct. 20), leading Valhalla to a three-game sweep of host Steele Canyon.

"I was glad to get to play and show what I can do and lead the team to victory," said Roach, a senior. "But we need DANA (BURKEY) -- she's definitely a big part of our team.

Steele Canyon wanted to place pressure on Roach and force her to set the ball to spikers who might be covered by a pair of blockers. But Roach's play choices proved correct all match long, as the Norsemen came away with a 25-17, 25-13, 25-17 decision.

"We switched up to keep their defense guessing," noted BRITTANY CAHOON, who equaled teammate JAMIE JUSTO with a match-hgih eight kills. "In my case, because their coach is also my club coach, he knows what I do well, so we had to shake things up."

Valhalla then forced Steele Canyon to scramble with strong serving. STACEY GRUNDSTROM collected five ace serves, Justo posted four aces, while KELLY BALANAY paced the blockers with four stuffs.

"We wanted to press their setter because it was her first match as a starter," noted Cougars outside hitter KELLY HANSEN, who joined PAIGE ALEXANDER with a team-best five kills. "Sometimes she can get a little nervous out there, but we never were able to do anything to put pressure on her."

Valhalla recieved kills from eight differnt players, including three by Grundstrom and reserve MOLLY ZIVE. ALEX TARANTINO paced the Cougars defense with seven digs, while Alexander scooped up six spikes.

AND THE CROWD GOES WILD -- Valhalla fans countdown game point in Thursday's victory at Granite Hills. (Photo by Ryan Lafferty)

Valhalla senior Jessi Higgins goes down the line for a kill, as the Norsemen downed host Granite Hills. (Photo by Ryan Lafferty)

Norsemen make short work of
Eagles, look towards playoffs

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-14-05) -- In the annual border clash between Valhalla and Granite Hills high schools, this school-year's first clash for their version of the Gauntlet Cup went way of the visiting Norsemen women's volleyball team. Buoyed by seven kills from JAMIE JUSTO, the Norse jumped out to an early lead to cruise past the Eagles in three sets, 25-12, 25-17, 25-18.

Both teams were undefeated in Grossmont South League play entering the match at 4-0, but the Norsemen jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the opening game and were never headed. Six different Valhalla players posted kills in the opening game, then the usual big guns for the Norsemen took over, including six kills each from BRITTANY CAHOON and STACEY GRUNDSTROM.

With the triumph, Valhalla (16-5 overall, 5-0 GSL) has all but mathematically captured at least a share of the league title through the conclusion of the first round of league play. Thoughts are now directed toward the postseason.

"We're starting to play well ajnd just need to get ready for the playoffs," said Justo, a junior outside hitter. "We just need to play error-free and minimize our mistakes -- we're closer than we've ever been to being a really good team."

Orchestrating the Norsemen attack was setter DANA BURKEY, the team captain, who was able to move the ball almost anywhere in the team's playbook thanks to strong passing from the back row.

"We practiced hard on our passing and it showed," said Burkey, who collected 27 assists. "We played strong -- we wanted it so bad."

"It's hard, but we just need to play to at our level and not down to our opponents, so we have to keep working hard in practice because that may be our last chance to play at a level high enough to get ready for the playoffs."

Justo mentioned how the Norsemen could reach that competitive measure.

"We'll play in some good teams in tournaments," noted Justo. "That should give us some compeititon."

Granite Hills (8-9, 4-1) made a late run in the second set by scoring seven of the game's final 10 points. Then the Eagles kept the run going into the third set in a bid to get make in the match. The hosts were within 7-6 before Valhalla pulled away on an 8-2 scoring run, including two kills by Grundstrom, then a tip for a kill and a service ace from Burkey.

Eagles outside-hitter DAYNA MOYER equaled Justo with a match-high seven kills, while KATTEY WILLIAMS added six putaways, but poor passing kept the team's scoring opportunities to a minimum. Included were a total of 14 aces by the Norsemen, including five service winners by JESSI HIGGINS, four by Burkey and three from KELLY BALANAY.

East County Sports.com
JAMUL (10-12-05) -- One simple basic to all successful volleyball teams is the ability to pass the ball. Strong passing -- including service receiving -- allows the setter to run the offense and score points.

In Tuesday's battle for second place in the Grossmont South League, that one constant lifted Granite Hills over host Steele Canyon. The Eagles were steady in passing to setter TORI TAIJERON, who collected 24 assists in defeating the Cougars in three games, 25-12, 25-20, 25-20.

"This year, we've got a really close bond on the team, so we're all doing very well," said outside hitter DAYNA MOYER, who paced the Eagles with 12 kills. "That's why we're having such a good season and playing so consistently."

Four consecutive South League victories has placed Granite Hills (8-8 overall) right were it wants to be: a first-place showdown with Valhalla on Thursday. Both teams are 4-0 heading into the 5 p.m. showdown at Granite Hills' gymnasium.

"It's going to be a challenge, so we're going to need to play a good game for sure," added Moyer.

Valhalla setter Dana Burkey (8) places a perfect quick-set to spiker Brittany Cahoon (22) for a kill against Helix. (Photo by Ryan Lafferty)

First things first, and that was downing Steele Canyon in order to make the Valhalla match mean something. Through two sets, Steele Canyon was able to finish off plays at more than a 60-percent rate. So it was up to the Eagles to place the ball away from the Cougars' libero and other backcourt players to limit their scoring opportunities.

"We were able to place the ball down the line or hit the hard angle," noted Moyer. And we had to be careful with their big girl at the net."

Steele Canyon middle KELLY HANSEN, who has been moved to the right-side when hitting in recent matches, again paced the Cougars with 10 kills. But the ability of Granite Hills to tool the 6-foot-5 sophomore with attacks off her hands kept allowing the Eagles to sideout. Included were four kills by senior KATTEY WILLIAMS, each time scoring by spiking the ball off the blockers.

Granite Hills took early leads in all three games to coast, marching quickly to leads of 9-1, 7-4 and 12-4 in each game, respectfully. The Cougars made runs in the final two games, including cutting a 10-point deficit down to 19-17 in the third set.

Cougars libero LORA HORNER paced both teams with 11 digs, while ERIKA GARCIA posted three service aces for Steele Canyon (4-3, 2-2) . For Granite Hills, Burkey added four kills, four aces and six digs, while JESSICA OWENS and JENNIFER GEORGE collected four kills each.

In other action, Valhalla swept Helix behind the spiking of JESSI HIGGINS (12 kills) to set-up Thursday's battle of undefeated teams in league play. Game scores were 25-8, 25-7, 25-16.

The Norsemen (15-4 overall) are rated third in Division II by one local media outlet.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-7-05) -- Playing in front of a crowd of more than 500 on Staff Appreciation Night, the Granite Hills High volleyball team not only thanked their teachers, staff and school administrators, they held on to its share of the Grossmont South League lead after downing visiting Helix, 3-0. Game scores were 25-16, 25-14, 26-24.

DAYNA MOYER and KATTEY WILLIAMS paced the Eagles with six kills each, while freshman setter TORI TAIJERON added four kills and 20 assists in two games of actions.

"Today, our heads were in the game," noted Williams, the Eagles' senior who plays the opposite position. "We're beginning to realize where all of our weaknesses are and to work on them in practice."

JENNIFER GEORGE paced the defense early with fours digs, then aided the offense with three kills and a pair of service aces. In addition, JESSICA OWENS posted fouir kills and a stuff block.

Helix was led by senior CATHERINE BROWN, who registered 11 kills.

With the victory, the Eagles are pointing toward a first-place showdown with Valhalla next Thursday at Granite Hills.

Valhalla middle Brittany Cahoon (22) rejects the tip attempt by Steele Canyon in Tuesday's 3-0 sweep. (Photo by Ryan Lafferty).

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-5-05) -- JAMIE JUSTO posted a match-best 14 kills, while three teammates posted four service aces each, helping Valhalla overcome an early rally by Steele Canyon to collect a 3-0 sweep in Tuesday’s (Oct. 4) Grossmont South League opener.

Valhalla led by as many as seven points in the first game, only to see the Cougars fight back to within two points before the Norsemen took the opening set , then pulled away by extending their hitting options for a 25-22, 25-16, 25-9 decision.

BRITTANY CAHOON added seven kills, in addition to the collection of service winners by middle KELLY BALANAY, setter DANA BURKEY and outside hitter JESSI HIGGINS.

Granite Hills 3, Monte Vista 0 -- Junior outside hitter NICOLE RIVERA posted three kills, then the Eagles were able to empty the bench early to sweep the visiting Monarchs. Sophomore BRITTANY HAMILTON also added seven aces for Granite Hills

Valhalla middle Kelly Balanay (right) accepts a perfect set from Dana Burkey (center) to beat the Grossmont defense at the net for a kill in an easy 3-game sweep by the Norsemen. (Photo by Ryan Lafferty).

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (Sept. 28) -- Reacting quickly, Valhalla High outside hitter STACEY GRUNDSTROM raced towards her team's bench to save a shanked pass to keep a Game 2 rally alive. It wasn't the game-winning play, only an example demonstrating how the Valhalla High volleyball team is the best side in the Grossmont Conference this season.

"You just have to keep getting the ball over somehow," noted Grundstrom.

Not only did Grundstrom save the ball, she managed to not fall into the bench area, which would've forced an out call. BRITTANY CAHOON followed with a nice downball placement, but when visiting Grossmont quickly turned over the offense for a quick attack, an out-of-position Grundstrom was then saved by her teammates when KELLY BALANAY registered a dramatic solo stuff block for the point.

The emotional point paved the way to Tuesday's (Sept. 27) Norsemen sweep of the Foothillers, 25-7, 25-10, 25-22.

"When Stacey made that big play, I had to block it to earn the point," noted Balanay, who dominated the net with six stuffs while rejecting several other Grossmont efforts.

The surge is becoming common practice among the Norsemen.

"It's to our advantage to battle and get excited about a good play," added Cahoon. "That's when awesome things happen."

Along with her fine defensive effort, Grundstrom paced the Valhalla offense with 10 kills. Setter DANA BURKEY smoothly operated the attack, whil posting eight kills of her own, consistently fooling the opponent with a series of tips and dumps.

On defense, JESSI HIGGINS recorded a match-highnine digs, plus a service ace and a pair of blocks, JAMIE JUSTO had six digs, while libero JORDAN BUSKIRK added five digs.

The only offense generated by the Hillers came from outside hitter RACHEL BLAIR, who went crosscourt for the majority of her nine kills.

EL CAJON (9-23-05) -- It took everything Granite Hills had inside them to stave off a hugh comeback by visiting West Hills. Trailing 19-12, the Wolf Pack scored 10 consecutive points to eventually salvage Game 4 and force a tiebreaker, after splitting sets. Then the Eagles barely hung-on to the lead throughout the fifth set tiiebreaker, yet has enough to hold on for a marathon victory, 22-25, 30-28, 25-21, 24-26, 15-13.

"We had to keep it pumped up and stay happy and excited," said setter TORI TAIJERON, one of several top freshmen playmakers joining the high school ranks this season. "Our passing was great and we were really aggressive and hit the ball."

West Hills countered with hard-hitting outside hitter MELISSA PEABODY, who took a series of sets from JESSICA NAVARRE to register six kills on seven swings during the 10-point run. Even more remarkable about the hot streak was Navarre was in the front row, leaving the Pack with just two hitting options.

"We knew we had to somehow slow down Melissa in order to win," noted Eagles coach DAN SANTOS. "Otherwise, we'd only be making it hard on ourselves."

Granite Hills built a four-point lead in the tiebreaker, but West Hills bounced back to move within a point at 4-3, 10-9 13-12 and 14-13. However, the Wolf Pack could never muster a serving point to tie the game.

A shot down the sideline by JENNIFER GEORGE landed on the paint for one point, Taijeron tipped the ball over a blocker for a 14-12 lead, and after Pebody registered the final of her 26 kills to again move with a point, West Hills missed on a quick attack down the middle to give Granite Hills the match.

"If we keep passing strong and keep playing well, we hope we can stay with Valhalla," added Taijeron, a Club Pacific performer. who posted 37 assists and eight kills.

KATTEY WILLIAMS paced the Eagles offense with 11 kills, while DAYNA MOYER added 10. On defense, BRENNA GALVES posted six stuffs and Williams had three.

SANTEE (9-22-05) -- Facing an opponent rated as high as second in Division II by one publication, the Valhalla High girls' volleyball team scored a resounding 58.7 percent of its points on kills, sweeping Tuesday's (Sept. 20) Grossmont Confernece match from host West Hills.

The Norsemen (5-3) received 15 kills from JAMIE JUSTO, while setter DANA BURKEY added 38 assists and a pair of blocks to dominate the Wolf Pack at the net. Valhalla, unrated due to a precevied poor showing at the West Hills-The Bishop's Tournament a week earlier, also saw JESSI HIGGINS post seven kills, KELLY BALANAY had six putaways and a pair of blocks, while BRITTANY CAHOON had three stuffs.

The team collected 44 kills among their 75 points, including 17 bombs in the third set to take the match, 25-12, 25-14, 25-20.

West Hills received a team-high seven kills from MELISSA PEABODY.

Valhalla is undefeated in five-game matches this season, despite losing three best-of-3 matches and all six games in the tournament. In the event, the Norsemen forced one game into extended play (overtime) before falling 29-27, while three other games went 25-23 against some of the top teams in the county.

The Norsemen have a bye on Thursday, then host Grossmont next Tuesday. The Foothillers recently lost, 3-1, to San Dieguito Academy, yet are still expected to challenge West Hills for the Grossmont North League title. Valhalla's top foes in the South League are expected to be Steele Canyon and Granite Hills.

Elsewhere
Steele Canyon 3, Santana 1 -- Sophomore middle blocker KELLY HANSEN recorded 15 kills, as the Cougars overcame a slow start to top the Sultans, 17-25, 25-19, 25-19, 27-25. Santana outside hitter JORDAN FRANEY matched Hansen with a match-high 15 kills. Over the summer, Franey accepted a basketball scholarship to UC Santa Barbara.

EL CAJON (9-15-05) -- Junior outside hitter JAMIE JUSTO and senior opposite JESSI HIGGINS registered eight kills each, lifting Valhalla to a three-set victory over visiting Santana in Thursday's (Sept. 15) Grossmont Confeence volleyball match. In the middle, junior KELLY BALANAY added six kills and three stuffs, while setter DANA MURKEY collected four kills and controlled the offense, as the Norsemen came on strong after dropping three close matches against ranked competition last weekend at the West Hills-Bishop's Tournament .

"We learned to use our athleticism because we're not the biggest team," noted Justo. "Hopefully, this will get us ready for West Hills (next Tuesday)."

West Hills, the top dog in the North for more than a decade, is expected to be challenged by Grossmont this season. However, the Foothillers fell in the fifth set to Steele Canyon, 15-13, on a marathon on Tuesday.