By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor Westridge certainly deserved to win Tuesday’s Prep League showdown with visiting Poly, but ask anyone on either side and they’ll tell you the Panthers are going to be in this race to the end. But for Tuesday, Westridge was too good and swept Poly by scores of 25-23, 25-16 and […]
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
Westridge certainly deserved to win Tuesday’s Prep League showdown with visiting Poly, but ask anyone on either side and they’ll tell you the Panthers are going to be in this race to the end.
But for Tuesday, Westridge was too good and swept Poly by scores of 25-23, 25-16 and 25-20.
The Tigers, as they do, rode the backs of seniors Makana Meyer and Allison Martinez, but they also got a big effort from freshman setter Emmie Barnard.
Martinez had a match-high 13 kills and 5 aces, and did it all on a bad ankle she injured late last week.
Meyer added 8 kills, 6 digs and 3 aces, and seemed to steady the ship whenever Westridge had a lull in their play.
And Barnard had 31 assists, 4 aces and she won the first six points on her serve to begin the third and final set.
Barnard seems to be growing into her position each week and her coaches and teammates are happy with her constant evolution.
The win gives Westridge (5-0 overall, 2-0 in league) sole possession of first place early on in the Prep League chase.
Poly (9-2, 2-1) didn’t play its best volleyball, but they showed signs of what made them enter the season with so much promise.
Steve Beerman’s young squad had moments where they seemed to lose focus, but they would always find a way to fight back and make things interesting.
Sophomore Ella Mao led the way with 12 kills for Poly.
Alexis Pappachan added 5 kills, Debbie Hong had 5 digs, and Zoey Mao finished with 33 assists.
Westridge will travel to Chadwick on Friday at 5, and Poly hosts winless Firebaugh on Thursday at 3:45.
Quotable:
Poly coach Steve Beerman: “I think that they (Westridge) was the better team today, without a doubt. We were down 6-0 in the third (set) and down two games and it could have gone badly, but our girls fought and I’m proud of them for that.”
Westridge coach Otto Lacayo: “We settled down. It’s a rivalry match, so you have to settle down a little bit. Our serving was a little off in the beginning, but it picked up late. Poly is a great team.”
Westridge senior Makana Meyer: “I was happy with our emotion. We got in a few ruts, but always came back. To be level-headed so early in the season was awesome. We (seniors) have been through what they (underclassmen) are going through. It’s our turn to shape the season.”
Westridge senior Allison Martinez: “We knew we had to control our side of the court. We gave up too many serves in the first set. (Emmie) is a great setter. She doesn’t play like a freshman on the court.”
Westridge freshman Emmie Barnard: “It’s a lot of fun playing with (Martinez and Meyer). They make me a better player. I have looked up to them since the sixth grade. People are really supportive and understand there is a lot of stress being a freshman.”
Prep League Standings:
Westridge (5-0 overall, 2-0 in league)
Poly (9-2, 2-1)
Mayfield (3-2, 3-1)
Flintridge Prep (4-1, 2-1)
Chadwick (8-4, 1-1)
Rio Hondo Prep (8-3, 0-3)
Firebaugh (0-5, 0-3)
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