Rebels overpower Gaels
LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE — For the first time in several seasons, the Flintridge Prep girls’ volleyball team appears to be stocked with plenty of talent.
It’s got Flintridge Prep Coach Sean Beattie excited about the possibilities of his team faring well, not only this season but beyond.
“It’s a great young core that we have here, probably the best since around 2008,” said Beattie, whose team began its season Thursday afternoon with a convincing 25-7, 25-21, 25-6 nonleague home victory against Holy Family. “Right off the bat, this was a big test for many of them.
“I think it’s a group that will grow together well, starting this season.”
Flintridge Prep turned to sophomore outside hitter Daniela Motte, who recorded a match-high 12 kills.
Motte set the stage for the Rebels in the first game, picking up seven kills.
“For our first game, I thought we did pretty well,” Motte said. “We are looking at putting together a good season and try to make the playoffs.
“I wanted to start off strong and not hold back. I thought I could help us by setting the tone early in the match.”
Motte and the Rebels had little difficulty getting prepared for the Gaels (0-2). Holy Family, which shared the Horizon League championship last season with Alverno after winning it outright in 2010, is ranked No. 10 in the CIF Southern Section Division V-AA preseason poll.
In the first game, Motte recorded a kill to give Flintridge Prep an 8-3 lead. Three straight kills by Motte helped the Rebels increase their advantage to 15-5.
Holy Family, which opened its season Tuesday with a nonleague road defeat against St. Genevieve, fared considerably better in the second game. The Gaels took a 7-6 lead on an ace by Dominique Ornelas. Flintridge Prep then went on a 14-4 run to take a 20-12 lead. However, Holy Family came back and closed to within 23-21.
“This was a better effort than the one we had against St. Genevieve,” said Holy Family Coach Robert Bringas, who got a team-best six kills from Kiara Ardines. “We were able to come back and play a lot better in the second game.
“Flintridge Prep has good solid row of middle blockers. They got a couple of key hits and blocks along the way. We are learning and trying to find some different lineup combinations. We are constantly finding a couple of new pieces and getting into a groove by the time league starts.”
Flintridge Prep went on an 11-0 run early in the third game to take a 15-3 lead. In that stretch, Katherine Bogaard collected three aces.
Flintridge Prep received 17 digs from Bryn McFadden. The Rebels registered 12 aces.
