Santa Catalina volleyball

It’s been a humble ride through the first 24 matches. So why should an historic volleyball win change the mindset.

"Inside we’re very excited,’’ Santa Catalina junior libero Olivia Satow said.

The Cougars erased a few demons Friday, namely Notre Dame. And with it came with the programs first ever Central Coast Section Division V title after a 28-26, 25-19, 25-22 win.

"This is so amazing,’’ Cougars outside hitter Maria Santos said. "Special.’’

No one will argue that it’s been a magical ride all season for Santa Catalina, who at 25-0, is the only team in the CCS still undefeated.

"We don’t talk about it,’’ Satow said. "We really don’t. The only thing we talk about is our next opponent.’’

Which is yet to be determined.

The Cougars will be seeded Sunday into the State Northern California Division V playoffs, where they will likely be a top four seed and host their first ever state tournament match on Wednesday.

"No, it hasn’t sunk in,’’ Santa Catalina coach Paul Elliott said. "Our celebration, though, said it all.’’

Simply put, there was no celebration, just a group of girls embracing after the final point, before walking over to the bench -- much like Santa Catalina has done in the previous 24 matches.

"We have more work to do,’’ Elliott said. "The CCS title will be appreciated later.’’
Last year the Cougars got a taste of the State Tournament, reaching the Northern California quarterfinals.

"I think getting that experience will help us this year,’’ said Satow, who compiled 23 digs in the sweep.

As for the pressure of being the only team still undefeated.

"There’s a little more pressure from this point because if don’t win, our season is over,’’ Satow said. "As far as the winning streak, I don’t feel we’ve let it effect our play all year.’’

That was evident in the opening set against the reigning two-time CCS Division V champion Spirits when Santa Catalina was staring at defeat, down 24-19.

What transpired was a 5-0 run by the Cougars to tie the set.

"I just wanted them to relax,’’ said Elliott, after calling a time out at 24-19. "We wanted to be pushed. I told the girls just be us. Nothing special was said.’’

With Santos sending shots screaming across the net, the Cougars rallied for a 28-26 win, seizing the momentum while taking the wind out of Notre Dame’s sails.

"We just turned on a mental switch,’’ said Santos, who compiled 23 kills for the Mission Trail Athletic League champions. "At that point, we had nothing to loss. So just swing.’’

It clearly sent a message that the Cougars won’t be intimidated or get fazed by a deficit.

"I actually thought we could lose that first set and still win the match,’’ Elliott said.
Of course, the Cougars have only trailed in a match twice this year.

"This wasn’t easy,’’ Elliott said.
Yet, the Cougars made it look easy, particularly in the second set when they jumped out to a 9-2 lead on the strength of Satow’s defense in the back row and McKinley Fox’s effort as a setter.

The 6-foot-1 junior, who finished with 40 assists, attacked the Spirits defense by getting four different hitters involved, including Saige Madden and Alicia Rector, both of which had a pair of kills during the early assault.

"Once we calmed down, we were fine,’’ said Elliott, who coached at Notre Dame a decade ago before becoming the athletic director at Santa Catalina.

Even when the Cougars found themselves down 18-14 in the third set, there was no sense of concern or urgency on their faces.

Instead, Satow went on a serving rage, scoring five straight points as Santa Catalina took a 20-18 lead.

"It’s about picking a spot,’’ Satow said. "And being focused. You get into rhythm. And my teammates were producing those points."

Especially Santos, who got hot on the right side with her left-handed swing, hitting balls that left a scare upon hitting the gym floor.

"The objective is to not let them hit it back,’’ smiled the 5-foot-11 Santos.

The Spirits, who lost the services of arguably their best player in three-year starter Julia Scattini five weeks ago to a knee injury, made a handful of switches over the last month to get back to this level, the most significant moving defensive specialist Mikeila Banda to the net.

The senior captain produced 12 kills while Adeline Laughton added eight kills off of sets from Spencer Hagenbuch to keep the Spirits close in all three sets.

"This is not discouraging,’’ said Banda, in reference to seeing Notre Dame’s run of CCS titles end. "Our season isn’t over. We’re still playing for something.’’