Los Alamitos High girls volleyball team won three consecutive matches on their way to winning their division at the Durango fall classic tournament in Las Vegas from Sept. 19-20.
The Griffins finished with an overall record of 4-3 but they rallied back to make their trip out to Nevada worthwhile.
“The team found some energy that had been lacking in previous matches,” said Los Al’s head coach David Huber. “The high energy levels helped lead to some more consistent play.”
The Griffins team did suffer its share of losses but their more experienced players in the squad helped lead their team to overcome the shortcomings.
Senior libero Mikki Sale had an impressive showing at the tournament as she capped off Los Al’s backline. Sale’s ability to dig out would-be kills opened up hitting chances for her teammates.
Griffins’ outside hitter Taylor Cochrane came up with with kills in crucial situations throughout the tournament, and she played a big part in finishing the tournament on a high note.
Los Al wrapped up their final two matches in just two sets each as they claimed victories over Cathedral Catholic and then Bishop Manogue in the final game of the tournament.
The success late in the tournament spilled over and gave the Griffins confidence going into their first of two games last week.
On Sept. 24, the Griffins notches home an all around victory as they swept Palos Verdes High in three sets away from home.
Their second match of the week would prove more troublesome.
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, Los Al faced Newport Harbor High on its home turf for their first league match of the season. The Griffins fought throughout the match but couldn’t hold off the relentless Sailors’ attack.
In a five set match, Newport came away with the overall victory just edging the Griffins in the end by only a set handing them their second straight loss to the Sailors in two years.
Los Alamitos looked to to bounce back to its winning fashion in a matchup on Oct. 7 against Huntington Beach High away from home.
The last two times these teams have faced off the Griffins came away with victories in 3-1 sets.
