Volleyball roundup

The 2018 varsity girls volleyball season is underway, and here’s how the season is shaping up so far:

IMPERIAL HIGH SCHOOL

As previously reported, Imperial High kicked off its season Aug. 16 against the Calipatria Hornets in a non-league match. The Varsity squad treated the Hornets to a bagel (3-0) with game scores of 25-17, 25-12, 25-22. The Tigers were led by junior Abby Orman who recorded eight kills and had a hitting percentage of .700 for the match.

Imperial continued its non-league slate on Tuesday, suffering a complete reversal of fortunes going down to San Pasqual High 0-3 (13-25, 16-25, 20-25) in a match played in Escondido. The team as a whole could only muster a minus .108 hitting percentage for the day, highlighting their struggles overall.

The Tigers resume action tonight with an away game against Serra High School out of San Diego.

SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL

The Eagles first match was on Monday. They faced off against Coachella Valley on the road and came away with a 3-1 (11-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-20) victory, fighting back after dropping the first set. It was a tight match, with plenty of back and forth. Credit must be given to sophomore Mary Abatti, who led the Eagles with eight kills and helped keep them in the black.

Southwest was away against Coronado High last night. Results were unavailable at press time. They play again Aug. 27 at home vs. Cibola.

CENTRAL UNION HIGH SCHOOL

The Spartans got their season going on Tuesday, also against Calipatria. It was a tough five-setter for Central, who found themselves in close set after close set before finally putting the Hornets away in the fifth for the win (25-20, 25-22, 22-25, 23-25, 15-5).

Coach Bernadette Marcuson was somewhat frustrated at the lengths to which her squad needed to go to emerge victorious, but she acknowledged that at this nascent stage of the season they are still fiddling around for their optimal lineup and juggling with new pieces. She did praise the performances of Alexis Elizondo and Evelyn Zatarain, with Elizondo’s role as the team’s main setter being especially crucial to their eventual success.

The Spartans are back at it next Aug. 28, heading off to Yuma to face Kofa High.