B.P. Perez
CLAREMONT -- After back-to-back losses and back-to-back late buses,
the Crescenta Valley High boys' volleyball team's season was ended and
all post-season hopes faded as the Falcons were swept by Claremont High,
15-7, 16-14, and 17-15 on Friday during a match for third place in the
Pacific League.
It was the second day in a row that the bus to pick up CV was an hour
late and for the second day in a row the Falcons lost, but this time
their CIF playoff hopes went with it.
"The bus being late didn't make us hit the ball out or shank a pass,"
said Crescenta Valley Coach John Nelson. "It just didn't help us any."
Claremont watched its league record improve to 6-5 as it took the
season series, 2-1, and dropped CV to 9-8 overall and 5-6 in league.
The going was rough for the Falcons from the beginning as the Wolfpack
jumped out to a 8-1 lead in the first game en route to breezing past the
Falcons, who appeared dazed and unprepared.
In the second game, the Wolfpack jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, but
the Falcons crept back to tie the game at 7 when Eric Jeppsen's block
fell into Claremont's frontcourt.
Following a Claremont timeout, the Falcons continued on a six-point
run and led, 13-7.
The Falcons could not close the door, and the Wolfpack answered with a
six-point run of their own, tying the game at 13 when Zane Hasan's kill
fell in the right corner.
The Wolfpack scored two more points and an error on CV, giving
Claremont the second game.
Following the match theme in the third game, the Wolfpack jumped out
to an 11-6 lead before CV went on a 7-1 run to take the lead at 13-12
when Jeppsen's kill fell into Claremont's middle.
Like the second game, the Falcons couldn't finish. After Claremont
took the lead at 16-15, a CV dig attempt fell short, giving Claremont the
win.
"One play in two of those final games and we would have been up two
games to one," said Nelson. "(Claremont) made a couple of big plays when
they needed it and we didn't."
