Santa Maria edges Coast Union 3-2 in volleyball opener

Coast Union launched its 2016 volleyball season Aug. 25 losing a nonleague match to the Santa Maria Saints, 3-2.

Assistant coach Dennis White said the Lady Broncos only missed three serves in each set and avoided “making a bunch of passing and hitting errors.” The scores were 25-20, 26-28, 25-14, 20-25 and 9-15.

“We have a very young team, but they have been paying close attention during the few practices we’ve been limited to,” White explained.

Coach Pam Kenyon, getting her strength back after her surgery in July, “is getting stronger every day,” White said.

“I think we are in store for some wonderful surprises ahead in the season; we even had blocks — freshman Ellie Kennedy had five blocks.”

Senior Gigi Stoothoff had five aces and eight kills. Kennedy added five kills to her five blocks, and sophomore Karis Lawson also had five kills for the Lady Broncos.

On Tuesday, August 30, the volleyball team traveled to Nipomo High School and fell to the Titans 25-10, 25-15 and 25-11. Ailyn Casas had a game-high 12 kills for Coast, and Hayley Zinn added 10 kills for the Lady Broncos.

Karis Lawson chipped in with four blocks and 10 kills.

On Thursday, Sept. 1, Coast Union hosts Templeton High School, with the junior varsity team playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity match getting under way at 6.

This story was originally published August 31, 2016 at 8:12 AM with the headline "Santa Maria edges Coast Union 3-2 in volleyball opener."