The Pitman Pride Volleyball team (44-2) lost in Division I CIF State Volleyball Championship to the Redondo Union Seahawks (38-2) at Santiago Canyon College in Orange (23-25, 18-25, 21-25).
In the first set the Pride jumped out to a 17-14 lead but the Seahawks scored six straight points, leading to a 25-23 Pride loss. In the second set, the Pride never led but kept the set close thanks to consecutive kills from senior Madison King.
In the final set the Pride fell 21-25, but battled from a five point deficit, 3-8. The Pride mustered life after 3 kills and a block from senior Lindsey Vander Weide to tie the match 10-10. Unfortunately the Seahawks outscored the Pride 14-11 from that point on.
Vander Weide finished with 11 kills and 3 blocks. Freshman Whitney Barnes had a fine game with 5 kills and 2 blocks.
Despite the loss, it was a historic season for the Pride, who finished won the Central California Conference Championship, the Sac-Joaquin Section Championship and the CIF NorCal Championship.
The Pride were a team of fierce determination, led by Head Coach Kristen Pontes-Christian’s intensity — which carried over to her players.
“When you win 44 games you know how to win, they have no fear and play with intensity,” Time Warner Cable Community Television Commentator Tim Jensen complimented the Pride.
It was a great season for the Pride. Congrats on making it to the CIF State Volleyball Championship game.
2014 Pride NorCal Champion Roster
Yisel Perez
Taylor Rivera
Stephanie Simmons
Kaylene Ureno
Ashleigh Phelps
Lindsey Vander Weide
Maddy Halteman
Mady Coughran
Madison King
Lauren Solis
Spencer Bronken
Katie Willett
Whitney Barnes
Kaitlyn Walters
Erika Rodriguez
