By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor The first two players any opponent will talk about when it comes to the Westridge volleyball program are seniors Allison Martinez and Makana Meyer. Both are outstanding playmakers and are counted on a lot. But make no mistake about it, this Tigers’ machine is so much more than two stars. […]
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
The first two players any opponent will talk about when it comes to the Westridge volleyball program are seniors Allison Martinez and Makana Meyer.
Both are outstanding playmakers and are counted on a lot.
But make no mistake about it, this Tigers’ machine is so much more than two stars.
And Wednesday was a perfect example of that.
Yes, Martinez and Meyer led the way, as usual.
Both had 12 kills in Westridge’s sweep over Mayfield in a Prep League contest.
But Eryn Boken, Emmie Barnard, Krystal Raymundo, Eva Lecovic and Nicole Gibbs all did their part.
For Mayfield, they hung tough in the first two sets, but Westridge wore them down in the end.
The Cubs were led by Maddie Reed’s 6 kills, Annie Evans added 5 kills and Olivia Smith had 4 kills and 3 blocks.
Evans also had 5 digs.
Ellie Watkins chipped in with 6 digs and Aoife Chow had 7 digs for Mayfield.
“That was fun. We played hard and it was good, competitive volleyball in the first two sets,” first-year coach Cami Martin said.
Westridge got 4 kills, 5 aces and 4 digs from senior Eryn Boken, who has really played well, especially of late.
Freshman setter Emmie Barnard’s game and stock continues to rise.
She had 33 assists, 4 aces, 4 digs and a kill in the win.
Nicole Gibbs finished with 3 kills, Eva Lecovic had 2 kills and Krystal Raymundo had 8 digs.
Along with their 12 kills each, Martinez added 4 aces, 3 digs and a block, and Meyer had 10 digs and 2 aces.
Boken could very much be the ‘X-factor’ for Westridge, in that if she’s able to keep up the pace she’s on, Westridge could make a very deep run in the playoffs.
But for now, they’re concentrating on winning a Prep League championship.
Westridge will host Maranatha on Friday at 5 in a nonleague match, and Mayfield won’t play until next Thursday when they travel to take on second-place Poly.
There might have been a mismatch on the court, but Martin’s girls fought tooth-and-nail to the end and her players seem to respect their leader and have embraced her philosophy.
Quotable:
Mayfield coach Cami Martin: “We need to work on our blocking so our defense can set up around them. We usually serve-receive and pass better than we did today. We’ll need to look at some film to learn from this, and that will help us be more prepared for when we face them again.”
Westridge coach Otto Lacayo: “We’re going for it on the service line, and we’re serving really well. We have a lot of players who can produce and the way they share the ball and their efficiency is way up. Mayfield returned balls that other teams might not.”
Westridge senior Eryn Boken: “I think my role is a vocal leader. I try and stay as loud as possible. I shake off any balls I mess up and be there for my teammates. We’re all really good friends and the two of them (Martinez and Meyer) inspire me and the freshman to be better. We all bring something different. Krystal, Julia and Emmie are really playing well.”
Westridge senior Makana Meyer: “We’re all working together as a team and everyone is doing their part. Krystal Raymundo always does a great job, Emmie Barnard is stepping up to her position at setter, and Eryn Boken really stepped up.
Westridge senior Allison Martinez: “I feel like we have the most aggressive serving team. I feel like our serve-receive is pretty good too. I feel like Poly gives us the best match up because of the Mao sisters are very strong. Eryn (Boken) went on a great serving run and did a great job serving and blocking.”
Prep League Standings:
Westridge (9-1 overall, 5-0 in league)
Poly (15-3, 5-1)
Mayfield (3-3, 3-2)
Flintridge Prep (4-2, 2-2)
Chadwick (4-3, 2-2)
Firebaugh (0-6, 0-4)
Rio Hondo Prep (8-6, 0-6)
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