Tennis
The lady Pirates continue their cruise toward league championship with the most difficult hurdles now behind them, says assistant coach Larry Popkin.After soundly defeating Cate 12-6 on Oct. 19, Santa Ynez improved their overall record to 12-4. A day later, they were up against the tough Santa Maria Saints, taking them down, 13-5.
Doubles teams of Kat Rocha and Bianca Capasso won all six sets over the course of the two days. Kyle Petersen and the No. 2 doubles team of Jena Deming and Reagan Mroz each lost only one set.
Head Coach Jennifer Rasmussen credits the long history Pirate success to a number of things. Obviously, the girls play hard and work on improving their skills, she says. But much too has to do with the balance of coaching.
Rasmussen brings the new drills and techniques she learned while playing in college, while Popkin brings the traditional. “We sort of work like water and oil, where we have different philosophies,” says Rasmussen, but they don’t have to mix to create a strong program. “I couldn’t have a program myself without all of his knowledge of the fundamentals,” she says. She has been coaching tennis for six years, he 13.
On Tuesday, the Lady Pirates dismantled host Lompoc, 16-2. With only Morro Bay (who the Pirates previously defeated 17-1) and Templeton (falling to Santa Ynez 14-4 earlier this season), the team expects smooth sailing to league finals scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at Santa Maria.
Football
The visiting Pirates prevailed 21-3 over the Nipomo Titans, Oct 21. Touchdowns were scored by Jacob Butcher, Ryan Welker and Albert Ibanna. Marcos Uribe stepped up to kick all three extra points.Against the Santa Maria Saints scheduled for Friday, the Pirates hope to improve their 2-2 record in league before their homecoming event against Cabrillo on Nov. 4.
Volleyball
The girls volleyball team swept both the Santa Maria Saints and the Lompoc Braves in recent play to bring their season record to 9-0 in LPL play, 15-5 overall.On Oct. 18, the Pirates defeated the Saints 25-16, 25-8, 25-17. Megan Schumer had 8 kills along with Danielle Carlson to lead the Pirates. “Megan started strong and got on a good aggressive roll, “said Coach Fenenga.
The Pirates middles hitters were also active with Devon de Werd getting 3 kills, 2 aces and 2 stuffs. Kelsy Fimlaid netted 3 kills and 2 stuffs, while Susanna Cole added 4 kills and 3 stuffs. “Our setters did a great job getting the middles involved early and moving the ball inside and then outside,” said Fenenga.
“Having Devon back is a real plus for us, as she is a complete athlete who we have confidence in when it gets close,” he added. In his estimation, the team had too many hitting errors. But as a consolation, when the Pirates needed a kill or an ace, Annika Bastanchury (4 aces and 4 kills) was there. The Pirates had a strong service game with Delanee Stapp, Ariel Johnston, Ashley Carroll and Rylee Erickson stringing together long runs.
Spirits were high on Oct. 20 when the Pirates celebrated their senior recognition night before facing the Lompoc Braves at home. Coach Fenenga tearfully praised the tremendous athletic and academic accomplishments of this senior group as they met their parents on the court.
“It is a very talented group of genuinely nice young women who have made a great program, worked hard, stayed together and dared to achieve. The school, the community and their families should be very proud of them as people and as representatives of our school. Over the last four years, I had the best seat in the house,” he said. Then, just to show they earned their accolades, the seven Pirate seniors went on a bringing in a 25-7, 25-12, 25-13 win. Stapp (6 kills, 5 stuffs, 3 aces and 19 assists) set the tone early with three stuff blocks on the Braves leading hitter as the Pirates raced out to a 12-2 lead. Defensive digs by Erickson (14 digs and 2 kills) and Roxy Clark (9 digs) kept the momentum.
De Werd had a huge game in the middle with 7 kills and 4 stuffs along with Fulmer, who hammered 3 kills. Carlson and Bastanchury continued to rewrite the record books with consistent passes, strong serving and aggressive kills. In the third game, junior hitter Paige Lockhart showed future promise with a couple kills and strong serving, along with the setting of Carroll (15 assists and 9 service points).
The Pirates were scheduled to host second place Templeton (ranked No. 7 in CIF) at home Thursday night at 5:30. “They are really strong and if people want to see a great game, that is the night to be here,” said Fenenga.” It was a barnburner up there when we won earlier this season, but I know they have made some adjustments and are back to full strength.”
– Staff report