Gators reach expectations, edge stingy Cougars
Some coaches would call a back-and-forth match “nerve-wracking” or “difficult.”
Green Valley girls volleyball coach Erin Hill just called it just what she expected.
The visiting Gators fought through a stingy Cougar lineup and raucous home crowd before edging Coronado, 25-18, 22-25, 25-9, 25-27, 15-13 on Tuesday.
“I felt like we battled on every single point,” Hill said. “I am very proud, and love these kids. Coronado played great; it was everything you expect from a Green Valley-Coronado match.”
Senior Siga Applegate led the Gators with 33 kills, and junior Taylor Seidler added 18 digs.
Jena Chavez had 44 assists, three kills and three aces, and teammate Elizabeth Groesbeck contributed seven kills and four assists for the Gators.
“Our quote today was about leadership not being a position, but an action,” Hill said. “I think they all stepped up and showed a great deal of leadership. If our block wasn’t working, we dug it up in the back row. If it wasn’t the greatest pass, our setter did a great job of getting (the ball) where it needed to be. I thought they did a great job, and I am very proud of them.”
Coronado’s Kuulei Piena led the Cougars with 18 kills. Ally Keller finished with six blocks, including back-to-back blocks that helped the Cougars to a come-from-behind 27-25 victory in the fourth game.