IN SPORTS: TOKAY DROPS VOLLEYBALL OPENER
Undefeated Gregori takes down Tigers in Tokay’s home opener
One day after winning its SacJoaquin Section Foundation match, the Tokay High volleyball team was looking to carry that happy-go-lucky feeling into Tuesday’s non-league home match against Gregori.
But the visiting Jaguars, after a sluggish start in the first set, fired on all cylinders against the Tigers. That led to the Modesto school sweeping Tokay in three games; the final scores were 25-23, 25-16, 25-19 at The Jungle.
Tokay (0-1), behind its captains, middle blocker Nicole Segovia, outside hitter Cianna Guidi and server Natalie Polhemus, plus outside hitters Kayly Pau, setter Audrey Sharp and libero Grace Polhemus, jumped out to an 11-4 lead. Most of the Tigers’ points came off service points, mostly from Pau, plus Jaguar sideouts.
“We came out, fired up and ready to go,” said Tokay coach Scott Kyles. “I’ve been telling the girls that this is a really good team.”
Tokay (0-1), which beat Linden 3-1 in Monday’s Foundation match at the Lions’ gym, built its lead to 16-9. But Gregori used a combination of Tokay errors, kills and service points for a 16-6 advantage and the win.
“We took our foot off the gas pedal,” Kyles said.
In the second game, Gregori jumped out to a 14-7 lead, and never trailed. The Tigers cut the Jaguars’ lead to an 18-10 advantage. But Gregori’s serving, and forcing Tokay to make errors at the net and setting up the ball led to a 2-0 advantage.
Tiger setter Kassandra Erickson helped her team establish an 8-2 lead behind the line with serving that forced Gregori players to scramble, in some cases that allowed miscommunication among the players. That’s when Jaguars coach John Bartlett called a time out.
The pep talk seemed to have worked for Gregori. That’s when it rattled off a 23-11 rally. Gregori took the lead for good when Emily Joseph slammed down a furious kill down the middle of the court for a 14-13 lead.
Gregori (7-0), which started its season last weekend in the Orestimba Tournament in Newman, has won every game in the young season. That included two sets over Liberty Ranch.
Grace Polhemus, a freshman who is the younger sister of Natalie, a junior, had 13 digs for the Tigers and Guidi 6 and six kills. Belle Patino followed with 12. Segovia had two blocked shots.
Pau, a 6-foot-4 sophomore who has received the attention of nearly twodozen four-year colleges for a scholarship, had 13 kills and 7 digs. Erickson had 12 assists, and Natalie Polhemus 9. Lucuanna Casciaro finished with 7 digs.
Today, Tokay plays at Lathrop.