Canyon Swept in Volleyball Semifinal

What new experience did Canyon High encounter Thursday night?

Allowing a team to come from behind?

No, the Cowboys have done that before. But allowing a team to come from behind and win, that was a first.

The Cowboys, blowing a four-point lead in Game 2 and a five-point advantage in Game 3, were swept by Torrance in a Southern Section Division III girls’ volleyball semifinal, 15-7, 15-10, 15-8.

“We’re used to playing teams that when we get them down, we’re able to keep the lead,” said Canyon senior Susan Brondell.

After being handled easily in the first game, the Cowboys (17-2) regrouped and jumped to a 9-5 lead, led by Brondell, who finished the match with eight kills and six blocks.

But the Tartars (19-3) began dominating the net behind seniors Sunshine Van Wie (17 kills) and Tami Burchard (10 kills), and outscored the Cowboys, 10-1, to close the game.

Cowboy senior Heather Pilatic blamed poor passing.

“You can’t pass the ball, you can’t put it away,” she said.

In Game 3, Canyon took a 7-2 lead as senior Darcy Frandsen (five kills) began to take charge at the net. But Canyon mistakes and Torrance’s strong passing game allowed the Tartars to go on a 13-1 run and close the match.

Tartar senior Vika Malu took over in the final game, getting four of her 12 kills. After each, she smiled.

“That was to let them know to not let the ball get near me because I’ll put it away,” she said.

Brondell, who was impressed by Malu’s aggressiveness, said: “She’s one of the strongest players we’ve played against. They had girls that could put the ball down.”

Canyon Coach Ray Sanchez said mistakes were the difference.

“Bad passes, poor sets,” he said. “We kind of stalled out.”