VPS spikers fall in second round
by Misty Volaski

As the "little guys" in the CIF playoffs, Villanova's boys' volleyball squad had their work cut out for them in postseason play. Though they finished first in the Condor League with a 14-4 overall record, "We're being thrown to the wolves," said Wildcat coach Jason Burt.
However, Villanova seemed to have a fighting chance. Because of their high rank in the Condor League, Villanova had a bye for the first-round game and went on to play against the defendng second-place team from last year's Division V playoffs, Cantwell Sacred Heart. The bye, Burt said, was what really hurt the Wildcats. "We looked real rusty. We were off for almost two weeks, and it was way too long to sit around."
Cantwell dominated early play, but it was Villanova who came together for the 3-2 win that brought them into the quarterfinals.
Against St. Margret's, Villanova again was the underdog. St. Margret's, the defending CIF Division V champion, had the definite advantage over Villanova. Though they actually held a lead in the fist and second games, St. Margret's slowly rallied to win every game for a final score of 3-0. The Wildcats' loss was exacerbated by the combination of playing on an unfamiliar court and a five-hour bus ride, said Burt.
"They just had good ball control. They knew our weaknesses," Burt added.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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