CV must win last two games to advance.
By Timithie NORMAN

Coming into Tuesday’s match-up against the Muir Mustangs, the Crescenta Valley girls’ volleyball team knew they needed to post a win to advance to the Pacific League playoffs. Luckily, Muir is the last-ranked team in the league and the victory came easy in three games: 25-6, 25-2 and 25-4.

“It was kind of a relaxing game,” said head coach Jen Ku Lee. “Coming into the next match we have to be focused. We have to beat Hoover and Arcadia to advance.”

The team held its game together despite sloppy play on the other side of the net. Junior setter Nari Shin fed one to middle blocker Allison Reik, who had four kills. Sophomore outside hitter Emmie Walker led the team with six kills; she also served an impressive 18 balls in a row in game two.

“I think we can use that game as a way to keep our spirits high coming into these next two games that we really need to win,” Walker said. “We need to keep the mindset of winning and keep playing as a team.”

The Falcons have had a challenging season, with a 5-7 league record (6-9 overall) in a league that has many teams vying for precious playoff spots. Today’s away game against Hoover could be another win for the Falcons, as they beat the team at home earlier in the season. Without a win today, the team’s season will end Tuesday against Arcadia – win or lose.

“Both Hoover and Arcadia have great outside hitters so we need to work on defense,” Lee said. “We need to bring out a good offensive game to stay in it.”

  Timithie NORMAN