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The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Wilson picked a great time to play one of its best matches of the season, but it wasn’t enough to advance in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 girls’ volleyball playoffs. The Bruins fell to Dana Hills in the first round on Saturday 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-20.
“(A balanced attack) has been our goal all season and it just sucks that it finally came to fruition now for our last match,” Wilson coach Chris Ceballos said. “But I also feel like the best way to go out is playing our best volleyball.”
Wilson sophomore Simrin Adams had a team-high 13 kills while senior Kate VanderWal filled the stat sheet with a handful of kills, three blocks and a pair of service aces. Junior Danielle Dobie had a team-high four aces.
Dana Hills got a match-high 17 kills from Kaity Hoelker while Ava Hoff chipped in 11 kills.
The Dolphins jumped out to an early lead in the first set thanks to great distribution from setter Ally Fausett. A pair of aces from Dobie helped the Bruins pull even 17-17, but a big block from Dana Hills and a Wilson hitting error gave the visitors the lead and eventually a 25-20 win.
Wilson trailed by four again in the second set when an Adams block and kill turned the tide. A string of Dana Hills errors helped the Bruins clinch the set 25-20 and pull even.
The third set was tied six times until a very long rally went Dana Hills’ way and gave the visitors a 21-19 lead. Three consecutive errors by Wilson allowed the Dolphins to take the set, going away 25-19.
Dana Hills turned up the heat in the third set and led by as many as 10 points until VanderWal sparked a 7-2 run to put pressure on the Dolphins.
“She’s a great kid who leads by example just putting her best foot forward all of the time,” Ceballos said of VanderWal. “We’re going to miss her next season.”
Wilson pulled to within four points, but service errors killed the comeback and an errant serve gave Dana Hills the set and the match 25-20.
“It was a lot of ups and downs, this season was a journey to say the least,” Ceballos said. “I’m proud of the way they battled.”
