Moorpark girls’ volleyball narrowly misses bid for CIF playoffs
By Steve Ames
Special to the Moorpark Acorn

Brendon Hanson

The playoff season didn’t turn out as head coach Brendan Hanson head hoped, but he’s happy with how well and the Moorpark High Musketeers girls’ volleyball team has played.

The Marmonte League at large entry in the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division IAA lost in the first round of the playoffs to host Santa Barbara Dons, Channel League No. 1 team, 4-1, Monday night.

"Santa Barbara is a good team," he said after Moorpark lost to the Dons by game scores of 26-24, 21-25. 25-22. 25-22 to leave Moorpark with a 12-7 overall and league 9-5 record.

"I wish we could have seen them last week when were were playing our game. The games were close, but we were outplayed. We made more errors than they did."

Junior defensive specialist Cori Pogemiller got 12 digs, junior swing hitter made 24 digs, 24 kills and two blocks, junior setter Lauren Hartnett registered 33 assists and eight digs, sophomore outside hitter Danielle Hermansen was credited with 15 digs and five kills and and senior outside hitter Courtney Holman had 11 kills.

"This team definitely deserved a playoff spot," said Moorpark head coach Brendan Hanson. "The season started slowly for us, but we were able to turn things around, finishing with the strongest record (6-1) in the second half of league play."

In that final league victory a week ago yesterday the Musketeers defeated the host Agoura High Chargers 3-0 on game scores of 25-7, 25-12, 25-14 as senior middle blocker Kasie Phillis got six kills, three digs and a pair of block solos.

Also making a major contribution was Holman who made nine kills and two digs and senior opposite/defensive specialist Lisa Tumbarello contributed with three kills, two digs and two block solos.

Coach Hanson said that senior Kassie Phillis and junior Kristin Tomlinson, middle blockers, "have not only done a great job defensively slowing down some of the best hitters in our league, but they’ve also become valuable offensive assets as well."

Thoughts regarding ’03 and the solid play by the Moorpark girls’ volleyball team will linger for a time to come.

"I think the best thing about this season," Coach Hanson said, "is that everybody has contributed, it’s that team play and cohesiveness that has brought us success."

For seven of the 10 on this year’s team in all possibility ’04 will come and the objective will be to make the varsity team and have it return to the CIF playoffs.

With several from the freshmen and junior varsity teams vying for positions, Coach Hanson anticipates the return of six juniors to be seniors: defensive specialist Pogmiller, opposite Allisa Lindsay, swing hitter Kelley Hanson.

Also, defensive specialist Dani Phillis, setter Lauren Hartnett and middle blocker Kristin Tomlinson. Sophomore to become junior outside hitter Danielle Hermansen is also expected to return.

"I think all seven will be back for next season. I’m pretty excited about that," Coach Hanson said.