WATSONVILLE — The Pajaro Valley High girls’ volleyball team was in a bit of a rut and on the verge of letting Thursday night’s game against Pacific Grove High slip away.
But Grizzlies’ senior Julie Che and the rest of the squad pulled a rabbit out of the hat, as they defeated the Breakers in four sets, 26-24, 13-25, 28-26, 25-23, in Pacific Coast Athletic League division play.
Che finished with a team-high 15 kills, 17 digs and six aces for Pajaro Valley, which had to come from behind in back-to-back sets. They erased a double-digit deficit in the third to grab control of the match and held on in the fourth for the win.
“We pushed really hard and we support each other a lot,” Che said. “We tried to keep up the energy and that really helped.”
Che also finished with 18 points on serve and every point was crucial, especially during the third set with the Grizzlies trailing 23-12. She slowly started to rack up point after point until she scored six straight and Pajaro Valley was within striking distance.
“At that point, we were just trying to get the ball in but trying to get it in smart so we can keep on playing,” said Grizzlies senior Natalia Arroyo.
Arroyo said they’re used to playing from behind and has been some kind of calling card for them this season.
“I don’t know what it is but for some reason we like pushing hard and that’s our M.O.,” Arroyo said. “We’re good but sometimes we lose confidence. Tonight we brought it back and we fought hard.”
Arroyo said a big win like Thursday’s gives Pajaro Valley the confidence to push harder every single game.
“A win like this, we’ll have the thought of ‘we got it,’” Arroyo said.
Pajaro Valley coach Arlene Tsuji sat on the sidelines and watched as the Grizzlies battled to get back into the match. Tsuji said she’s been a bit more laid back and hasn’t put much pressure on the team this season.
“I’m telling them, ‘This is uncomfortable, girls,’” Tsuji said. “But I just sat very calm because I trust them, but it’s crazy.”
Isabella Langarica finished with nine kills and 11 points on serve, while Gali Carrillo had four aces and 10 points on serve.
Junior setter Lourdes Diaz had a game-high 35 assists, junior Michelle Magbag had 13 digs and Elise Ramirez had 12 kills along with a point on block.
Tsuji said even at this point of the season, she still doesn’t know how the Grizzlies are able to rebound after digging themselves in a deep hole.
“They just gut things out,” Tsuji said. “They’re just freakin’ phenomenal. I don’t know how they do it because any other team, they’d be done.”
Sophomore setter Maia Schlining finished with a team-high 30 assists, while sophomore middle Leah Tullius had 13 kills and six blocks for the Breakers.
“It was some great competition,” said Pacific Grove coach Maicey Madden. “We came out ready to fight and they outplayed us. It was just a great game.”
Junior libero Juliana Alioti and sophomore outside hitter Summer Sebok finished with 20 digs each.
The Breakers built a double-digit lead early in the third set and led by as many as 11 points. They needed just two points to close out the set but couldn’t get it done.
“We lost the battle, that’s it,” Madden said. “They played great all the way through, we just came up short.”
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