Air-ess to the throne

By Michael Ashcraft --

Jillian Jenkins spends more time in the air than on her feet.

The 5'8" outside hitter on Lighthouse Christian Academy's volleyball team made almost one-third of her teams points in the 3-game-straight win over Glendale Adventist Academy Monday. She made 16 kills.

"Number 4 is really smart, really watches the court and is able to put the ball where we're not," admired opposing Coach Michael Wong.

Number 4 is Jillian.

The Saints never lost control of the games (25-20, 25-17, 25-18), despite heavy competition from the Cougars, who although a team of five freshman, hammered powerful serves and moved like a Swiss watch on the floor into position. The Cougars never gave up and maintained high energy and enthusiasm throughout.

In addition to the kills, Jillian was a flame throwing from the serving line, torching seven aces.

This was the second matchup between the two powerhouses, and Glendale Adventist, with strong coaching, was ready for Lighthouse. The set up blocking to stop Jillian, Lighthouse's most lethal threat.

In the first game, to the delight of home Glendale fans, the blocked two or three of Jillian's smashes.

"It's not the best feeling getting blocked," Jillian admitted. "But I was able to adjust. I was just thinking of having fun because they're a hard team, and I just wanted to win."

She coordinated with setter Shayla Papik for different kinds of sets, quick ones and ones that go her around the blocks. She scanned the court beforehand and placed the ball on the line, across the court, a tiny tip to catch off guard players bracing back for the blistering ball, wherever there was open space.

Jillian's predecessor in leading kills was Dahlia Gonzalez, who graduated last year leaving a hole some wondered who would fill. There's no questions now as to who is the heir (or the "air") apparent. In Jill's legs there is the jumping power of a kangaroo.

The trouble with Lighthouse (for opponents) is that the more competitive you are, the more competitive they become. They rise to the level of the challenge.

So when the Cougars threatened with some smart play, when the home fans thundered cheers and foot stomps on the wooden floor, the Saints didn't cower. They got better. On Monday, they were so good.

Part of the strategy when Jillian got blocked in Game 1 was to start using its alternate weapon, Karine Keyser, at center hitter. It worked like a secret weapon, a special weapon. Special K got four hits and one block to help the W.

Then there was diving Riley Gonzalez (13 digs) and fire-feet Eden Garcia was targeting hits and firing unreturnable serves.