Paific Coast Classic Recap
The CMS Volleyball team went 2-2 to open the season in the Pacific Coast Classic, September 4-5. Play began Friday as the Athenas took on west region opponent Lewis and Clark (Portland, OR). Despite losing the first set 24-26, the Athenas rallied behind the play of junior outside hitters Allie Macy (Walnut, CA) and Jenna Suttmeier (Issaquah, WA) to easily capture set two 25-13. This determined the pace for the remainder of the match as CMS won the third and fourth sets 25-21, 25-21. Macy and Suttmeier notched 15 and 14 kills, respectively, and libero Jessica Waggoner (Jr., Scottsdale, AZ) led both teams defensively with 21 digs. Freshman setter Taylor Jones (Tucson, AZ) tallied 45 assists.
In their second match of the day, CMS faced Texas Lutheran University (Sequin, TX). Entering the tournament ranked first in their region, the TLU Bulldogs got off to a strong start, holding CMS to just .023 hitting averages in each of the first two sets. CMS could not recover and lost both, 21-25, 24-26. A lineup change in set three brought new life to the Athenas as the team went on a five point run behind the serving of Allie Macy. Serving pressure and consistent defense were the difference as the Athenas overcame the Bulldogs 25-17. Set four followed a similar suit as the CMS offense came alive. The team hit .389 for the set, and the defense gave up just nine points en route to a 25-9 win. The deciding set five was evenly paced and tied at eight points apiece before TLU went on a 4 point run to go ahead 12-8. The Athenas scored just twice more and dropped the fifth set 10-15.
Saturday morning matched CMS against Carthage College (Kenosha, WI), ranked 7th in the AVCA national pre-season poll. Having just beat the University of La Verne, the Lady Reds were ready to go against the CMS squad. Carthage went ahead 6-0 and never looked back, capturing the match in three straight sets, 25-20, 25-18, 25-18.
Just minutes later, CMS took the floor for its final match, this time against Fontbonne University (St. Louis, MO). The Athenas controlled the match from the opening points, going ahead 18-6 in the first set before Fontbonne scored several in a row, but it was too little too late and the Athenas won decisively 25-13. CMS went on to dominate sets two and three 25-10, 25-13. CMS was led by senior middle blocker Jamie Matusiak (Tucson, AZ) who finished the match with eight kills and no errors. Fellow middle blocker, Leanne Ringquist (Ben Lomond, CA) was also strong, hitting .359 and adding six kills. Defensive specialist, Katrina Lau (Fr., San Francisco, CA) picked up seven digs and freshman outside hitters Kelly Halamek (Palo Alto, CA) and Stephanie Bethune (Stockton, CA) helped round out the offense with six and five kills, respectively.
Allie Macy was named to the All-Tournament Team. She finished the weekend with 39 kills, averaging 3.0 kills/game and was outstanding defensively with 3.3 digs/game.
The Athenas return to action this weekend, September 11-12 at the Cal Lutheran Fall Invitational where they will take on four west region opponents. Match times are posted.