GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Monta Vista Outlasts Milpitas

For the second time in the past 72 hours, the Monta Vista High girls volleyball team found themselves in a five-set struggle.

This time, however, they were able to seal the deal.

Monta Vista outlasted a game Milpitas High team to win the non-league match 3-2 (25-22, 24-26, 25-11, 20-25, 15-9) on a muggy Thursday night at Monta Vista High in Cupertino.

Led by hard-hitting senior Savannah Day, the Matadors came away with their ninth win of the fall season, improving to 9-6 overall just a few days after dropping a nail-biter against Santa Clara Valley Athletic League De Anza Division foe Los Altos High.

Day was a force anytime the ball came across her path. The senior blasted eight kills in the 25-22 first set victory for the home team and also was a key cog in the fifth set win as well.

“It always feels good to get a win,” Day said. “I wish we could have played stronger, but it’s most important to get the win.”

Ahead 11-7 in the final set, Day struck a hard shot off the hands of a Milpitas blocker to extend her team’s advantage to five points. Just moments later, Day lined a well-placed serve deep into the Trojans side of the court. The ball never made it back. The ace gave Monta Vista (9-6, 0-1) a commanding 13-7 lead--an advantage that they would never relinquish.

“I’m very happy to get the win,” Monta Vista head coach Colin Anderson said. “I think we got a little causal out there at times, but give Milpitas credit as well. They put up a great game.”

Even with Day locked in from the start, Monta Vista couldn’t shake the SCVAL El Camino Division opponent away in the first set. Sophomores Beverly Yu and Alice Liu, along with senior setter Justine Urauchi all contributed for the Matadors early.

Milpitas closed within two points late in the set, but eventually fell 25-22 in set number one.

“It probably should have gone quicker,” Urauchi said. “I felt better after the Los Altos match even though we lost. We just really played together that night. Our hits were stronger and our passes were cleaner. Tonight we didn’t play at that level.”

After Milpitas closed strong to win set two, Monta Vista roared back with a dominant 25-11 win in the third stanza.

Maria Balus and Neesha Bhardwaj each connected on big kills in game’s three and four, showcasing the depth of the Monta Vista squad.

“Some players stepped up that hadn’t played much lately,” Coach Anderson said. “We have a few people hurt and a few more got hurt tonight. I was impressed with the contributions from a lot of our players. You don’t always want to play five, but it’s important to learn how to win the close games too.”

Monta Vista will take part in the Menlo School Tournament in Atherton this weekend. The Matadors return to league play next week with matches against Homestead and Gunn.