Wolverines Use Trusty Formula

Harvard-Westlake High falls behind, Harvard-Westlake rallies, Harvard-Westlake wins.

Ho-hum.

No strangers to falling behind, the Wolverines came back from deficits in each of the first two games during a 15-13, 15-11, 15-6 victory over Alemany in a Mission League girls’ volleyball match Tuesday night at Harvard-Westlake.

The first hole wasn’t that deep, 12-9, but the comeback from a 9-1 deficit in the second game was impressive.

Michelle Wong delivered seven kills without a hitting error as the Wolverines (6-3, 3-0 in Mission League play) scored 14 of the next 16 points.

“I think everyone was just in their own little world [at first],” said Wong, who finished with 14 kills.

“I don’t think it really dawns on us that we’re 10 points behind or 12 points behind.”

In two matches last week, the Wolverines used the comeback formula. They trailed Louisville, 12-0, in the first game but won in a sweep. They also trailed in all three games before sweeping Notre Dame.

“They pick their moments,” Harvard-Westlake Coach Jess Quiroz said. “When they finally decide to play, they play. I hope they don’t do that later on.”

Alemany (6-1, 2-1) was crisp at the start of the second game, Sasha Hernandez pounding down five kills en route to the eight-point lead.

But Hernandez did not have a kill the rest of the second game. She finished with 12 kills and 15 digs.

Cheryl Sasadeusz was strong for Alemany in the first game, delivering five of her 10 kills.

But the Indians couldn’t finish, as Harvard-Westlake received two kills from Wong and an ace and a kill from Carissa Abbott in the later stages.

Harvard-Westlake’s Anne Jakle, who missed her third consecutive match because of a sprained ankle, will not play Thursday against Chaminade.