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Senior co-captain Monica Patton sets the ball for Taylor Selfridge. Photo, George Laase.
Culver City High School’s road to a CIF volleyball championship ended last night in the semi-finals at Windward School.
As the Lady Centaurs came out of the locker room, they received a rousing ovation from their supporters. Students and parents acknowledged a thrilling ride through the Southern Section Division 3AA playoffs that became a straight set loss to the Wildcats, 25-20, 25-19, 25-22.
Even though Culver was the top seed in the draw, the Lady Centaurs had to travel to Windward, losing their home court advantage.
Fans felt something was amiss when Cassidy Paperny, Culver’s powerful outside hitter and team leader in kills, did not start warming up with the team before the game. She remained in the locker room receiving last minute treatments for her back and knee from the school’s veteran athletic trainer, Marcos White.
Coach said Manzo said that “we didn’t play our best. We didn’t pass well. We didn’t pass well. Their hitters overpowered our defense. We were outmatched physically, not mentally.”
Like everyone else except the seniors, Mr. Manzo is looking ahead to next year. “It looks good,” he said. “We only are losing three seniors. We have a good incoming class, and we were able to play two freshmen.”
“We did keep up with them,” said middle blocker Armani Moultrie. “It was intense, but we let down a little. There’s always next year.”
Senior outside hitter Cassidy Paperny leaves without regrets. “I am proud of my team and what we accomplished,” she said. “We have gone farther than any Culver team.”
Ms. Paperny is looking forward to playing volleyball at the next level at a school near home.
Taylor Selfridge, another outside hitter, took a philosophical stance. “At this level, we were both good teams,” she said. “They played better, but we could have done a lot more. We need to work on passing and service reception.”
Ms. Paperny said the Lady Centaurs will not be as tall next year, but we will be one of the stronger teams in the Ocean League.” She is so optimistic about next year that “with hard work, we definitely can go all the way.”
Setter Monica Patton was clearly disappointed at the loss. She is looking forward to playing club volleyball this summer, but that she will not be pursuing playing volleyball in college next September. Ms. Patton will concentrate on academics.
On the short bus trip back to the school, Coach Manzo talked about the future of the girls program. “We’re only losing three seniors, Monica Patton, Cassidy Paperny, and McKenna Maxwell,” he said.
“I see a long, bright future for our school’s program. Good players are coming up through the freshmen and JV teams being coached by Marty Siegel.
When there is a coach who knows volleyball, local club players take note that something special is happening in the girls program at Culver High. Even though Coach Manzo has a reputation as a strict disciplinarian, his players have fun. This draws the better club players in the area to try out for the team, and that only can make the program stronger.
The Lady Centaurs now have to wait and see if their 25-7 overall record is good enough to be invited to the Statewide Tournament that starts next week.
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
