Two straight ESL wins hint at Valley Championship run for Woodlake
By Kassandra Gutierrez
Special to the Sun-Gazette
LINDSAY – Last Thursday the Woodlake Tigers (4-4, 2-0) continued their East Sequoia League title winning defense against the Lindsay Cardinals. (2-6, 0-1). It was a successful step toward another league and possible section title with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-13) win.
Woodlake’s outstanding player was senior Jocelyn Sanchez. She played an essential role in Woodlake’s win totaling 16 kills and helping the team with a couple of blocks. Sanchez mentioned that she is very excited to play this season and hopes to continue to play after high school. She hopes the team can take it far and hopefully get a chance at the valley ring.
“It’s my last year playing so I just want to take full advantage of everything, and just have fun since it is my senior year,” Sanchez said.
It was a roller coaster of a match for the Tigers. With revenge on the players’ minds they did everything they could to pull out the win.
“I am just hoping this season we are going to take it because we are all seniors this year,” Sanchez said.
Woodlake has been stepping it up in their training, doing two a days, hitting the weight room at 6 a.m. and meeting for afternoon practice as well several days out of the week. That dedication has paid off. Earlier in the week the Tigers got their first ESL win by defeating the Sierra Pacific Golden Bears (7-6, 1-1) 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-20).
“Today, I think they did really well, but there is always room for improvement. I never allow them to get bored with success at all, so we keep pushing and pushing,” Woodlake head coach Yvette Garcia said.
Lindsay’s coach, Amanda Robles, mentions she was proud of the team’s performance, “I was really impressed with the girls. I feel like they came in not really knowing what to expect, and after this game now we know where we are and where we should be. Now we are just going to get there.” Robles also mentioned that in order to adjust to the height of Woodlake’s team, there was a change in formation Lindsay had to make going into the second match.
Robles, is especially proud of the girls dedication to the team because due to back complications, which lead to surgery, it was extremely difficult for her to give a hundred percent at practices.
“I do want to add that I am super proud of these girls and they have come a long way. For them to stick with me and trust me and trust each other I think that is a big thing”, she confessed. She also mentioned she was proud of sophomore, Brianna Hernandez, who has came out of her shell on the court since starting with the team, and who led the team in kills during Thursday’s game.
On Monday, Sept 10, Woodlake faced the Monache Marauders and lost 0-3.
Also on Monday, Lindsay continued league competition in Hanford against the Sierra Pacific Golden Bears and lost 3-2.
