La Salle High Girls Volleyball Continues to Shine

On the heels of two consecutive weekend tournament victories, coupled with solid play throughout their league and non-league schedule, the La Salle Lancers are looking to meet, or improve upon, their impressive Final Four finish in last year’s CIF-Southern Section 2AA playoffs. Winning the Hilltop High Invitational in San Diego October 8, besting 26 teams from Southern California proved to the Lancers that they were improving and benefiting from a rigorous early season schedule that had them facing perennial powers, Lakewood, Notre Dame Academy and St. Lucy’s.

They duplicated their fantastic finish in San Diego County by winning the 29th Annual Marlborough Classic this past Saturday, October 15 in Hancock Park, defeating host Marlborough in the Finals.

“These in-season tournaments are different than league play matches,” stated first year head coach Tiare Tuitama. “But getting to play another 12 matches in two days over the two weekends allows us to continue to develop our continuity and experience of playing together. Ultimately, it is about more game situations for our team, and our girls have really excelled in doing well in these formats.”

The Lancers have also done well throughout league play, currently sitting at 4-0 after a thrilling 5-set win on the road at Bishop Montgomery on Thursday, October 13. Trailing by two sets, the Lancers rallied to win the last three, overcoming a strong Knights team that was also undefeated in league play entering the match.

The two teams will meet again at La Salle in the Duffy Lewis Gymnasium on Monday, October 31 at 6:00 pm, in a match that could decide the 2011 Del Rey League Championship.

“It has been an absolute delight coaching this group of girls. They are an extremely fun, talented and flexible collection of athletes,” stated Coach Tuitama. “They are resilient and have demonstrated time and time again their fortitude and commitment to the team. We look forward to representing La Salle throughout the balance of our league play, as well as continue the momentum into CIF, Division 2AA playoffs. This team has all of the needed components to be a championship caliber team.”

La Salle, a co-ed Catholic college preparatory high school of 750 students, located on the border of Pasadena and Sierra Madre, competes in 22 sports. The girls’ volleyball program, a rising star in the sport over the past several years, is now vying to be considered the strongest program in the San Gabriel Valley, and continues to benefit from talented players that appreciate the school’s significant educational opportunities, commitment to service and strong overall athletics program.

La Salle is back in action this week on Thursday, October 20, when the team travels to Bishop Amat to take on a strong Bishop Amat Lancers program. La Salle will be looking to remain undefeated in League play, as well as undefeated in October, having gone 15-0-1 this month.

For further information about the La Salle Lancers Girls Volleyball Team, please contact Anthony Harris at (626)696-4427 or log onto www.lasallelancers.org