TC Varsity Beats East Union

Article from "Manteca Bulletin.com"

EAGLES EDGE EU
Lancers take section D-V contender to task

Jonamar Jacinto
Sports Editor

It seemed destined to go to a fifth and nerve-wracking game, which would be fitting considering East Union High took five-game wins against Downey and Livingston last week.

Reserve middle blocker Rachel O'Neil charged her teammates with back-to-back stuffs to give the host Lancers a 20-14 lead in Game 4 against 2007 Sac-Joaquin Section Division V postseason finalist Turlock Christian Tuesday.

But Turlock Christian stormed back with key kills from Natalie Sanders and freshman thumper Rebekah Muller, ultimately snatching a hotly-contested 25-18, 27-29, 25-21, 26-24 victory. Aubrey Larsson provided the knockout blow with an emphatic kill down the right sideline.

"Last year East Union came into our gym and beat us (3-1), so we knew we were going to be in this type of (match)," Turlock Christian coach Keith Landmeier said. "I'm just glad we escaped with the win."

With both teams trading moments of brilliance with forgettable stretches of poor play, either team would have felt fortunate to win.

East Union, which dropped its first match of the season to fall to 2-1, had trouble working its offense off of Turlock Christian's serves all night. Emily Breuss and Johanna Muller had six aces each for the Eagles.

"You've got to start with passing and communication," East Union coach Eryn Bowers said. "(If) you don't have that you can't get anything started. And our serving was bad tonight. Overall, not one of our top performances so far this season.

"I expected more out of the girls, more or less. This was definitely not their caliber (of play). The scores may look good, but they did not play to their potential."

The Lancers worked a little comeback magic of their own in the second game, falling behind 19-12 after one of many serve receive errors. They eventually chiseled their way back, tying it and taking the lead on Turlock Christian's hitting miscues. That is also how East Union recorded the final two points of the game.

East Union managed to make a game out of the third session when it was down 9-1 to start, but its inability to execute fundamental passes bit the Lancers in the end.

With three sophomores - middle blocker Brittany La Mar, outside hitter Taylor Maruca and defensive specialist Lexy Posz - in the starting lineup, Bowers said there is much room for improvement.

"Once they get going and realize they can do it they stop doubting themselves," Bowers said of the team as a whole. "They know that they can pass, they can set, they hit, but there's still a lot of work to do."

Amber Abidi turned in six kills and six blocks to lead East Union's front line. Setter Brittany Kirkwood finished with 11 assists, Posz added seven digs and Maruca recorded three aces.

Morgan Andre and Larsson pounded down eight kills each to pace the Turlock Christian attack.