Louisville Stops Chaminade’s Streak at 29

For about 400 students at Chaminade High, a volleyball match was more important than Tuesday evening’s American League playoff game. But this wasn’t just any volleyball match, this was the ‘Nade against the ‘Ville, considered the two best teams in the San Fernando Valley League.

And like the players, fans from both schools came prepared, doing everything but the Wave to support their teams. There were balloons and pompons. There were mascots. Posters read, “Louie Whoie?” and “Sink the Royals.” Some of Chaminade’s players even got into the act, breaking out their version of rally hats for the fifth game.

In the end, there was one thing Chaminade didn’t have--Tina Kohler.

With Kohler leading the way, Louisville came back from a 14-10 deficit in the fifth game and defeated the Eagles, 15-13, 12-15, 15-9, 8-15, 16-14, in a 2 1/2-hour match to give Louisville sole possession of first place.

With the victory, Louisville (5-3, 5-0) handed Chaminade (7-1, 4-1) its first loss of the season and snapped the Eagles’ league winning streak at 29. It also was Coach Mike Lynn’s first home loss in a league match at Chaminade.

Kohler, a senior who plays both setter and outside hitter, had 30 kills, two of which came with Chaminade serving match point. Louisville was unable to take advantage of the two sideouts, but after Chaminade’s Amy Miller committed a service error, Kohler served the Royals from the 14-10 deficit to a 15-14 lead.

“I was thinking that they couldn’t ask for a better situation,” Lynn said. “I knew she was good for at least two points because she’s so smart.”

Louisville won the match on its next possession when Ann Fletcher served an ace.

While Kohler’s serving sparked the Royals, Chaminade was bothered by poor serving throughout the match, particularly in the fifth game. In the last game, the Eagles committed seven service errors, all after they had taken an 8-7 lead.

“We were a little bit down but their serving built us up,” Kohler said. “It made us realize that their concentration was off.”

Kathy Hayes led Chaminade with 35 kills and 11 blocks. Anna Suarez had 19 kills and 11 blocks.

“We played the best we’ve ever played and we couldn’t win,” Lynn said. “It’s going to be tough to overcome a loss like that. But I’m not sorry we played them. That was one of the greatest matches I’ve ever seen.”