Earnest Chambers
Asst. Sports Editor
Last Tuesday night the University of La Verne women’s volleyball team had no problems with the lowly Athenas of Scripps College, taking a three-game sweep at Claremont, 15-7, 15-7 and 15-2.
The first game was a shaky one for the Leos as the Athenas threatened to endanger ULV’s game plan. Scripps took early leads of 2-0 and 4-1. But a substitution was made inserting Robin Holland at the net position. It’s amazing what one player’s efforts can do to the morale of a team. Holland came in and played excellent defense, causing Scripps to make numerous turnovers. That’s when the Leos took charge of the entire match.
Everything seemed to be going wrong for Scripps. Its offense was totally diminished, team spirit low. It was like Scripps didn’t even want to play the match at all.
The Leos totally dominated the game, with strong defensive performances by Holland and Eileen Kamidoi.
“We played all right and I’m glad we won,” said Kamidoi.
Kamidoi had her usual night of workout, diving and saving entire blows which could have hurt the Leos. The Leos’ momentum didn’t start until late in the first game, after that, everything went their way. In the second game, it was all ULV again. The Leos’ defense and offense was well balanced. They just continued to dominate Scripps throughout the match. Cindy Ronzoni entered the game for the Leos and performed her undisputed magic act by serving effectively to lead the Leos to another win.
The third game was just as laughable as the match. Scripps was out-hustled, out-played and out smarted. The surprising thing about the whole match is that it only took the Leos 47:25 to win it.
“It’s hard to play at a level of competition without a team pressuring you,” said Paschal, ULV head coach. “The pressure makes you play well, but Scripps didn’t even make an attempt. We did play well. Our defense was on top of its game. It’s important that we win or tie the league.”
In a tournament in San Diego last week, the Leos advanced to the quarterfinals. They beat the University of Nevada, Reno, 15-4 and 15-7, and split with Dominguez Hills, 15-8 and 4-15. Then they lost to Riverside,1-15 and 9-15 and to UC Davis, 3-15 and 5-15.
“We didn’t play as well as we should have,” said Paschal about the tournament.
