Exeter's Kendra Amann slams at the net against Tehachapi's Sarah Horcher, left, and Persephonie Devereaux in the Central Section Division III volleyball championship match. Exeter defeated the Lady Warrios in three straight games. Both teams advance to the State playoffs.
Posted by Stephen Lynch, The Bakersfield Californian on November 20, 2008 Exeter Tops Lady Warrior Spikers
To Claim Central Section Championship
EXETER -- It took some time for Tehachapi to get rolling in the Central Section Division III Volleyball Championship against Exeter on Thursday.
The top-seeded Monarchs (24-4) scored the first 10 points of game 1 to gain valuable early momentum en route to sweeping Tehachapi 25-4, 25-15, 25-16.
"I think they were a little bit nervous," said Tehachapi coach Sally White. "They were a little bit tense. The gym was full. This Exeter team with all their seniors, they're a very strong team."
Evan Dillion had 12 digs, eight kills, and two blocks to lead Exeter to its 19th straight win and fifth section title in six years. The Monarchs finished the playoffs without losing a single game.
No. 3 Tehachapi (33-5) never led in any of the three games but played progressively better as the match went along.
A hard kill by the Warriors' Jasmine Julye tied game 3 at 9-9 before Exeter, with two kills each from Kendra Amann and Taylor Fahrni, scored nine of the next 11 points to pull away.
Tehachapi battled back and got to within four (19-15) after a Jami Lankin ace but the Monarchs quickly closed out the game.
Julye had a team-high 8 blocks for Tehachapi.
"They (Exeter) are a great team," White said. "We didn't show up until game two."
Sarah Horcher led Tehachapi with four kills, followed by Paige Woodward with three. Aly Pulford finished with seven assists. Samantha Nunnally and Shelby Flick had nine and seven digs respectively.
Sharon Grim paced Exeter with 13 assists followed by Kathryn Hutcheson with 12. Sabrina Lopez added 13 digs and six aces for the Monarchs.
After being dominated in game 1, Tehachapi finally settled down in the middle of the next game. A Julye block started a 6-4 run that got the Warriors to within four at 16-12.
"They just relaxed got out there played their game, passed the ball just like in practice and picked up the intensity and got right back into the game," White said. "That's what we did all season."
But Exeter responded with six straight points to take an insurmountable 22-12 lead before wrapping up the second game 25-15.
"They weren't intimidated," White said. "They just didn't play their game. They were flat-footed. But they woke up and got back in the game. There is nothing to be disappointed about."
Afterward White gathered her team in a huddle and thanked them for a great season.
"We're excited," White said. "We had a 33-5 season. We broke the Tehachapi school record (for wins). We also broke the SSL record so you can't ask for more."
Both teams will advance to the Southern California playoffs beginning Tuesday.
