Schools
Back-to-back Champions!
Playing pinball helped Lighthouse surge from a 2-game deficit to win best of 5 against rivals Beacon Hill
By Michael Ashcraft --
The girls crowned themselves back-to-back league champions Wednesday, as they pulled themselves out of a 2-game deficit to beat Beacon Hill Academy of Camarillo in the best of 5.
How did they come-from-behind against the powerful Gryphons, who liquidated Lighthouse with devastatingly-effective hits in the first two games?
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They learned to play pinball.
In the third game, when it was time to be glum and go home, Lighthouse Christian Academy of Santa Monica mustered strength and encouragement out of nothing. They made wild dives for hard hits. Their shanks ricocheted and quick-acting players popped them up to be sent over on the third hit.
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It looked like the way a pinball snaps around in a pinball machine.
It wasn't beautiful, but it worked.
Jillian Jenkins pulled 25 unreturned hits and 7 aces to lead the Saints' bounce back. Team captain Shayla Papik sealed the victory in the hard-fought fifth game, blocking a ball down at the net. It was her fifth block. The Saints won 25-27, 17-25, 25-14, 25-22, 21-19.
Something must be said about Batgirl. Riley Gonzalez says she has no eyes on the back of her head. Nevertheless, for three games straight, she has nailed perfect sets chasing down wild balls and sending them backwards over her head from some far region of the court.
How does she manage this mind-boggling exactitude. If not eyes, then radar -- inside her head. Like a bat.
The libero got 11 digs.
Something should be said for Karine Keyser also. She's the tallest on the team, so her teammates encouraged her to be aggressive at the net. Beacon Hill, with tall girls, was dominating at the net with blocks and hits. Karine stepped up her game to help turn the tide, getting 3 blocks and 3 unreturned hits.
Lucy Young also played a critical role with 8 unreturned hits and 5 digs. Since her nickname among her closest friends is "Lulu," he grandmother observed "Lulu is no lemon." Pun intended.
As she has done all season, freshman Eden Garcia showed why she's a starter for the team. Bethania Wonagseged put her father's genes (he played for Ethiopia on the nation's soccer team) to good use.
The Saints have gone undefeated for two straight years in league play. They almost lost but rallied incredibly to snatch the victory Wednesday.
