Los Alamitos Girls Volleyball in State Semifinal Tonight

The Los Alamitos girls’ volleyball team is riding a huge wave of success.  They are in the CIF State semifinal game against Marymount of Los Angeles.  The game will be played at Los Alamitos High School at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. 

The Griffins are playing exciting and dominating volleyball.  The team effort and accomplishments have been brilliant to watch.  Heavy down-angle hitter Crissy Jones has crushed the ball throughout the playoffs; the crushing kills and delicate dinks by JoJo Schnabl from the backcourt have been brilliant as well as punishing to opponents; the seemingly effortless setting by Justine Wong-Orantes has been spot on; kills and serving by Jaylen Villanueva has been keen; Alijah Gunsaulus has served and killed the ball phenomenal; and Lindsey Lawmaster has been a defensive specialist-dashing and diving to make great plays.

Rachel Fattal, Amy Armstrong, Cristina Maietta, Callie Taylor, Shelby Burney, Haylee Lanford, Jeneva Crossley, Courtney Crosby, Corri Hunt, Haily Beyma, and Sydney Beyma-the entire bench-have all contributed to the success and positive energy generated by the team.

The Griffins have swept most teams in the playoffs.  In fact, the Griffins have lost 1 game and that was Saturday night v. Corona del Mar; the Griffins defeated the Sea Kings, 3-1.  However, during the third match, leading hitter Crissy Jones went up to hit and came down awkwardly hard on her left ankle and only returned to the game to sit on the bench.  The entire crowd was silenced as trainers rushed to give aid to Jones.  Jones’ status will be known at game time.  Nonetheless, the emotional and tangible greatness that Jones brings to her team impacted game 3 and the Griffins fell to the Sea Kings.  The Griffins defeated Corona del Mar, 3-1.

Coach Dave Huber was extremely proud of his squad after Saturday’s game.  “We played with intensity, and having Crissy get hurt stunned us for a moment, and then we came back.  I am very proud of what we accomplished tonight,” said Huber.

Eileen Smith, an English teacher at the HS, doesn’t miss a game.  “I think this team is awesome to watch and I think having so many students and fans at the game brings a lot of excitement to Los Al,” Smith said.