By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor Among the elite programs and players, the prep volleyball world is a pretty small community, or at least a tight one. Such was the case Monday evening at Mayfield. The Cubs, who have already clinched third place in the Prep League and an automatic playoff berth were hosting a Flintridge […]
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
Among the elite programs and players, the prep volleyball world is a pretty small community, or at least a tight one.
Such was the case Monday evening at Mayfield.
Megan Lund (# 9) and Katherine Lund (#2)
The Cubs, who have already clinched third place in the Prep League and an automatic playoff berth were hosting a Flintridge Sacred Heart program waiting on its CIF-SS at-large bid, that will come out this Thursday.
And while there wasn’t much more on the line in the regular-season finale than pride and heading into the playoffs on a winning note, first-year Mayfield coach Cambria Martin made an incredibly classy gesture for her opponents from La Canada.
Katherine Lund, the older sister of FSHA star junior Megan Lund, had to retire after her sophomore year (two years ago) from volleyball because of multiple concussions and its effects
Almost two years later, FSHA wanted to give Katherine a moment she could remember for a lifetime, so they reached out to Mayfield to see if they’d be OK with allowing Katherine to join her sister on the court to serve for the first point of the match.
Katherine Lund’s serve went (as planned) untouched for an ace as the Mayfield players showed class and grace in respecting one of their peers.
And for Lund, it was magical.
The Lund Family
The gym was packed, despite the match being played at Mayfield so they could honor her one last time, and two years since she had last stepped on a court competitively.
As the ball hit the floor, the gym erupted in cheers (from both sides) and every Tologs player went back toward the FSHA senior celebrating her one-time return, and to just see that smile on her face, and each gave Katherine a hug before the match continued.
Not that it really mattered in the big picture, in terms of a change in a league race or playoff seeding, but FSHA pulled it out in four games.
The Tologs earned a 28-26, 25-21, 23-25 and 27-25 victory, in what would be considered under other circumstances one the season’s more exciting and competitive match ups.
Megan Lund made her big sister proud with a match-high 25 kills.
Annie Evans was huge for Mayfield with 16 kills and 14 digs.
Colleen Henderson and Maddie Reed both had 9 kills apiece for the Cubs.
Ellie Watkins added 5 kills and 45 assists, while Catie Sanchez and Olivia Smith combined for 12 Mayfield kills.
FSHA’s Maddie Pernecky had 16 digs, Ellis DeJardin added 10 digs and Cate Doud finished with 44 assists.
Quotable:
FSHA coach Trent Tcheng: “We want to thank Mayfield’s varsity team, head coach Cami Martin and all the Mayfield administrators and fans for allowing our medically retired senior Katherine Lund to serve the first point of the match. It’s great to know that even in a match that will soon become a rivalry, that there are things that are so much more than volleyball. It had great atmosphere as it was a ‘Dig Pink’ match, and the gym was standing room only.”
Mayfield coach Cami Martin: “I was asked about this two weeks ago and there was no hesitation in my response in that we would be more than happy to honor her tonight. My team was excited when I asked them what they thought about allowing Katherine to serve the match’s first point. I received a lot of love and support when I had to deal with a future-altering injury, so I felt for Katherine. I was absolutely humbled by the response of every person in that gym, and it’s something I’ll never forget.”
FSHA senior Katherine Lund: “My recovery has been a long road, but having everyone there cheering me on tonight was such an incredible, but bittersweet experience. I am so blessed to have so much love and support from the FSHA community and volleyball world.”
FSHA junior Megan Lund: “We could really feel the energy from both sides of the gym. We knew going into this game that it was going to be intense, and I am glad we were about to pull it together and get a win. It was amazing to play one more point with my sister again.”
Parents, Mary and Kenny Lund: “The Mayfield gym was erupting with energy tonight. But the first serve of the match was enormously exciting and emotional. Thank you for the support of Katherine to the Mayfield Cubs and the FSHA Tologs.”
