Serving and Jessica Farley were the two biggest difference-makers in Cabrillo’s volleyball victory over cross-town rival Lompoc.

Cabrillo took three straight 26-24, 25-15 and 25-9 at its gym in a 3-0 Los Padres League win.

Several Conquistadores had good runs at serve and when they needed solid play at the net Farley went to work — earning 12 kills, several blocks and altering several shots from the Braves at the net.

Chelsea McCarthy served out four straight to finish off the Braves in the second game, then in the third game expanded a 12-8 Conqs lead to 20-9, with an array of serves that were virtually impossible for Lompoc to return.

Lompoc trailed 22-16 in the first game when it went on a service run. Cameron Lizarraga kept Cabrillo off-stride in a run that included a service ace and a kill by Brandy Machado. After serving long, Lizarraga pulled her team to 22-21.

Lompoc tied the score at 24-24, before Kelly O’Connell closed out the game 26-24.

Farley had three kills early in game one to help Cabrillo take a 7-3 lead.

Advertisement

“She’s 100 percent committed,” Cabrillo coach Sue Slavens said about Farley, who is a force at the net. “She has turned it on — she’s played more than I could ever have dreamed of.

“All of them — not just Farley, but every girl has stepped up to the plate.”

What was frustrating for Lompoc coach Don Savella was his team’s inconsistent serving.

Lompoc committed six serving errors in the first game that were the difference. In the second game, five service mistakes cost the Braves.

“We could not serve — Cabrillo definitely had a tougher serving game than we did,” said Savella. “We have the serving game — we just didn’t bring it today.

“My hat’s off to Cabrillo, they did a fine job of sustaining all the way through.”

The serving woes continued for Lompoc in the second game. The first serve went into the net as did two more to go along with three served long.

Cabrillo led 11-8 when O’Connell served three straight, then after another Lompoc serve into the net, Jenna Hilliard served three straight to give Cabrillo a 15-9 lead — the Conqs steadily pulled away after that.

Lizarraga played well at the net for the Braves, leading the team with seven kills, which was pleasing to Savella, but her teammates had trouble setting her up.

“We were getting some good passes, but we couldn’t get her an opportunity to swing on the ball,” Savella explained. “We’d make a good pass and not get a good set and it really reduced our front line offense.”

The Conquistadores played consistently throughout.

“A lot of teamwork — they really play well together,” Slaven explained. “They have a commitment to go to CIF and that’s what they are working together for as a team — not as individuals.”

Slaven was very pleased with the serving.

“Chelsea had a great run,” she said about McCarthy. “Chelsea has been on a roll with her serving, like in the Righetti game when she had seven aces.

“Every player on the team has had something to contribute.”

Cabrillo plays Coastal Christian in a non-league match this evening, while Lompoc hosts Morro Bay.

September 25, 2008