The El Molino boys volleyball team came agonizingly close to
achieving what few teams ever have- a repeat of a North Coast
Section championship.
The reigning NCS Division-three Lions, who captured the title in
just their second year of existence in 2009, came within a couple
of points of turning the trick again on Saturday before falling to
top-seeded rival College Prep of Oakland in five games; 25-20,
15-25, 25-20, 19-25, and 15-13.
The Lions finished the 2010 campaign with a final overall record
of 25-14.
“We had a couple of different goals this year and came very
close to achieving them,” said El Mo coach Bob Geissinger. “Our
guys played well throughout the NCS playoffs and did a great job of
staying composed in the championship match. “We will definitely
take a ‘not to be denied’ attitude next year,” he added.
The loss to College Prep came on the heels of a great NCS run
for the second-seeded Lions, one that included wins over Dougherty
Valley and St. Patrick/St. Vincent to advance to the championship
match.
The title clash was a near repeat of last year’s NCS final that
pitted the same two teams, the difference being that it was the
Lions who were forced to travel for the finale this season.
“When I talked to the NCS official after the title match he told
me how hard it was for them to award the number-one seed in the
tournament,” said Geissinger. “We could have played a much easier
schedule, but I wanted to test our team against the best and find
out how good we were. They (College Prep) played a softer schedule
and I think it helped them get the top seed.”
The Lions played host to Dougherty Valley in the NCS opener on
May 18, winning in four games; 25-15, 21-25, 25-15, 25-12.
All-League outside hitter Scott McMahan led the net-attack with 18
kills, 11 digs and three aces. Other good efforts were had by
setter Ryan Affleck (30 assists, 6 digs, 5 kills, 2 block-assists,
one solo block), Ned Formaker (14 digs, 22 serve-receives), Nelson
Brock (9 kills), Calvin Sandeen (5 kills, 3 block-assists), Jeff
Battis (4 kills, 3 digs), and Will Plaugher (4 kills).
El Mo was tested in the semi-final match at St. Patrick/St.
Vincent in Vallejo on May 20, pulling out a hotly-contested battle
in four; 17-25, 25-16, 26-24, and 25-14. McMahan had a monster
night with 28 kills, three solo-blocks, 2 block-assists, and 14
digs. Also having big nights were Affleck (44 assists, 9 digs),
Brock (10 kills), Sandeen (2 kills, 4 digs, 2 block-assists),
Battis (5 kills, 9 digs), Formaker (32 serve-receives, 10 digs, and
Plaugher (4 kills).
The victory set up an epic rematch with College Prep on May 22
in Oakland, one that wasn’t decided until the final point was
recorded in the fifth game.
“The thing that was so tough was that we had the advantage in
games one and three, and we lost both,” noted Geissinger. “We just
couldn’t put them away.”
McMahan (28 kills, 12 digs, 2 block-assists, 2 aces) finished
off a sensational high school career. Affleck was equally
dominant, recording a team-high 44 assists. Other strong
performances included Battis (9 kills, 5 assists, 2 sold-blocks),
and Formaker (36 passes, 13 digs), Mitch Parsons (11 digs), and
Sandeen (2 solo-blocks, 3 block-assists).
