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By Administrator
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May. 5, 2004 |
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Junior Christina Cai sprinted to the net, her eyes focused intently on the incoming volleyball. A gravity-defying leap enabled her to connect with the ball and spike it hard into Lincolns court, giving the Cardinals the AAA championship. Team members erupted in cheers and hugged each other jumping up and down.
Lowell varsity volleyball players won the championship in a hair-raising game against the Mustangs on Friday, Nov. 8, upholding tradition by crushing Lincoln and winning their seventh consecutive championship. The Cardinals swept three close sets by playing with heart and spirit.
"We had a few great practices before the playoffs and championship and that really pulled us together."
Junior Christina Cai |
Although each point was hard-won, Lowell was always in command, beginning with senior Carrie Jungs terrific first serve through the teeth of the Mustangs defense. Senior Leslie Kurkjians spikes and junior Amber Gussin and Cai's solid blocks slowly increased Lowells lead to 5-1 at the first time out. However, the Mustangs did not go down easily inching closer throughout the game with help from sporadic mistakes in the Cardinals defense. Then, Kurkjian would leap high in the air with incredible blocks to stop Mustang rallies with her superb skills.
With Lowell back in control and the Cardinals poised to win the first set, senior Eve Lim served with the score 14-12. After a long rally with extraordinary saves by senior Traci Lee, Cai jumped up and smashed the ball to the floor with a resounding spike, winning the set for the Cardinals.
The second set was also uncomfortably close, with the Mustangs leading for much of it. Serves and spikes by the Cardinals could not find their way over the net. However, Lowell managed to gain possession when Cai spiked the ball past the reach of the Mustangs. Then throughout the second half of the set Lowell forced numerous side-outs that sparked the Cardinals comeback. A serve by sophomore Melissa Wong and blocks by Cai and Gussin led to triumph in the second set, 15-14.
The Cardinals served with precision and spiked strongly, assuring them a third set win. Successful dives and saves made it possible for Lowell to score time and time again. Cai topped off her brilliant game with the championship-winning spike.
"We had a few great practices before the playoffs and championship and that really pulled us together," Cai said.
"Im so proud of my girls.
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Coach Diana Tse |
In victory, the Cardinals acknowledged the quality of the opponents play.
"Lincoln stepped up, they were hitting all our shots," coach Diana Tse said.
Kurkjian said that the players couldnt get many shots past Lincolns defense. Our passing was a little off," she said.
Lee said that Lincoln was really good competition, they gave us a run for the money. In the end, our team chemistry really pulled us, through.
The team is heading to state preliminarys next, with competition from all over the state, according to Tse.
"Im so proud of my girls," Tse said.
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