Nitros Swept by CV Girls' Volleyball

The third-year Glendale High volleyball program is not supposed to give the mighty Crescenta Valley High team much of a challenge, but Nitros' Coach Claudia Choi sees a different outcome in the future.

"We've come very far. This is a brand new program, and these players weren't coached last year. Next time we play the Falcons, it'll be closer if not a totally different outcome."

For now, though, the Falcons are the superior team, and showed why in its 25-19, 25-14, 25-13 sweep of the Nitros Tuesday night at CV High.

The Falcons (5-4,1-0) were not overpowering in the first game, and struggled to get a big lead. The biggest one of the game was a 22-17 Falcon advantage.

The Nitros (0-3, 0-1) held a 10-9 lead, but lack of confidence and experience gave the lead right back.

"We weren't playing well in the first game, and knew we could play a lot better," said Falcons' Coach Jennifer Kunz-Ryan.

The Falcons made quick work of the Nitros in the second game, getting off to a 5-0 lead that called for a Nitros' timeout.

With Seniors Sarah Mock and Traci Ostrom serving, the Falcons didn't let the game get any closer than three points and held a 20-13 lead which forced another timeout for Glendale but to no avail as the Falcons took the game.

The Nitros had their biggest lead of the match in the third game when they jumped out to a 5-3 lead and were in it until the Falcons had a 9-8 lead, but they gave up six points from that point on and the Falcons didn't look back.

"The team hung in there," said Choi.

Briana Hill had 17 assists for the Falcons. Myra Nishizaki and Maggie Rajtar combined for 16 kills. Mock and Ostrom each had four aces.