Sacred Heart Varsity Volleyball Edges Visiting Rosary, 3-2

It was an important win for Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy’s varsity volleyball team last week against Fullerton Rosary High.

After five intense games, some closer than they would have preferred, Sacred Heart pulled through, winning the match, 3-2, in nonleague action on Sept. 26.

The Tologs won the first two games, 25-18 and 25-22, lost the next two, 28-26 and 25-14, but rallied to win the fifth game, 15-12.

Senior outside hitter Julie Herrera was one of many girls, who despite a bandaged right wrist, led her team to victory, to prove that strength and fearlessness can lead to success. The teams, both uniformed in red and black, appeared to be evenly matched.

Herrera led Sacred Heart with 20 kills, Megan Meyers and Katie Condon added 11 and 10 kills, respectively, and Ali Anderson contributed 11 blocks.

Under the direction of Coach Mike Talamantes, Rosary challenged the Tologs the whole way through, despite him receiving both a yellow and red card from the referee which ultimately reduced his coaching abilities to the confines of a less vocal and seated position.

However, it was Sacred Heart’s unrelenting will to finish strong, even when ahead in points that enabled them to overcome what appeared to be exhaustion, and gain an edge over Rosary.

It was clear that both teams played full force, with Rosary coming back strong in the third and fourth games, causing the fans of both sides to make their presence known, and fueling the suspense as Rosary trailed the Tologs by only one point, 25-24, in the fourth game before bowing out.

Perhaps it was Sacred Heart that had the determination to ensure a win after nearly two-and-a-half hours of playing. When asked to describe her team, Varsity Coach Shelly Orlandini said, “when in tough situations, [her girls] play with heart”.

Rosary may have served as good preparation for the Tologs as the showdown between the Tologs and their toughest competition, number one seeded in the league North Hollywood Harvard Westlake, looms in the near future.

Despite the moments of frustration caused by defensive errors in the second game, Coach Orlandini told her players that they must “Listen!” and “Play your position!” She also emphasized the importance of finishing the game strong and not letting up at the end. “Just because you have 24 points, that doesn’t mean the game is over,” she told the players.

If middle blocker Ali Anderson continues to play with energy and efficiency, defensive specialist Adriana Hoang maintains her consistency as a dependable and spirited player, and defensive specialist Tina Orlandini makes fearless, game-winning plays, Sacred Heart should continue to win.