TPAA shoots for Heritage League lead
TPAA falls to 2nd place after loss to Trinity
PALMDALE — The Palmdale Aerospace Academy girls volleyball team, playing in the middle of a successful season, faced one of its toughest challenges on Thursday night.
Both Palmdale Aerospace and Trinity Classical Academy entered their Heritage League match undefeated and tied for first place prior to their match at Palmdale Aerospace Academy High School.
Trinity played a more dominant and consistent match, winning in four sets, 25-23, 25-19, 17-25, 25-11 against Palmdale Aerospace.
“I think we did really good,” Palmdale Aerospace senior Lizbeth Gonzalez said. “Trinity had been a team, we’ve only beat once and it was here at our house last year. We knew that they were a good team going into this, but I’m proud of how we played. We were undefeated and so were they, so I think going into it we kind of psyched ourselves out maybe just a little. But I think we pushed for it, because we wanted it.”
Palmdale Aerospace (14-8, 7-1) entered the match ranked No. 2 in the latest CIF-Southern Section Division 8 poll, while Trinity Classical (11-8, 6-0) was ranked No. 12.
“You know what, we played a little up and down, but then found our rhythm. We played our game and I think we were successful,” Palmdale Aerospace Academy coach Chris Perry said. “I think we played a little inconsistent, but we played well. That’s a solid team.
“I think we have to stay up and stay focused all the time. What we have to take away from this is we have to find our rhythm and we have to stay focused all the time. I think they know that.”
The Knights won a tightly contested opening set, which went back and forth before Trinity took an 11-10 lead it would not relinquish.
Trinity built a 17-10 lead with a run of nine unanswered points, but Palmdale Aerospace was able to rally, denying the Knights on three consecutive set points to pull within one, 24-23. But Trinity was able to close out to take an early advantage in the match.
“I think we played pretty good against a really good team today. It was
really tough,” said Palmdale Aerospace senior Ashley Sanchez, a second-year varsity player, who had a key kill late in the first set. “I think it’s like frustration. We just need to get past it. Other than that, I think we played great. We played as a team today. I think that we bring ourselves down sometimes. We manage to pick each other up though.”
Sanchez said Trinity is the toughest team they have faced so far.
Palmdale Aerospace jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the second set, but Trinity would make a 5-0 run and eventually take a 13-12 lead it would not surrender.
Trinity freshman Emma Carver scored a kill on set point, giving the Knights a 25-19 win and a 2-0 advantage in the match.
“Our girls came out with energy and fight,” Trinity Classical Academy coach Rebecca Peluffo said. “We stayed aggressive and were able to really dig deep and play as a team.
“It’s been them preparing at practice and bringing what we’ve been working on in practice into our games. They’ve been doing a really great job of translating that into the match. I think that’s why we’re playing the way we’re playing.”
The Griffins started the third set with another 5-0 run, but the Knights answered with four consecutive aces by senior Paige Kim, who finished with a game-high 19 kills, eight digs and six aces.
The two teams exchanged leads before the Griffins took the lead for good at 17-16 on a kill by Gonzalez, who had two more kills and an ace in the final stretch of the set. Sanchez had back-to-back aces to help preserve the lead for Palmdale Aerospace.
“I think working on it is just a matter of talking,” said Gonzalez, a four-year varsity player. “I feel that’s always going to be an issue everywhere. We have to talk. I think the skill is definitely there this year. It’s just a matter of piecing everyone together.”
Trinity Classical did not let Palmdale Aerospace seize momentum in the match, jumping out to a dominating start in the fourth set.
The Knights took a 9-1 lead to begin what would be the final set.
Palmdale Aerospace cut the deficit to seven, 15-8 on a kill by Jahzell Brewster, but it would be as close as the Griffins would get.
Trinity junior Reagan Fernandez scored a kill on set and match point.
Gonzalez had seven kills and three aces, Sanchez finished with seven kills and four aces and Liana Merzoian added five kills.
The Griffins have five seniors that are returning players.
“I feel that for the team that we have this year, we definitely been doing really well,” Gonzalez said. “I think we’ve had two very strong seasons, last season and this season. But the team that we have right now, we’ve really been pushing ourselves.
“(The loss) lets you know it’s short, but we have to hang in there.”
Palmdale Aerospace Academy won the Desert Christian Tournament and finished third in the Mammoth Invitational.
“So far it’s been a very positive season. A lot of good stuff,” Perry said.
The two teams tied for third place in league last season.
The two teams face off again, at Trinity Classical Academy, in the final match of the regular season on Oct. 17.
Trinity senior Nicole Amoroso had 20 digs, 34 assists and two aces, junior Riley Spector finished with 20 digs, two assists and two aces and Fernandez had 10 kills, four blocks and four aces.
Palmdale Aerospace plays at Vasquez on Tuesday.