West 3, Tracy 0

The West High volleyball team claimed a 3-0 win Thursday in a home game against Tracy. Game scores were 25-12, 28-26, 25-23 in West’s favor.

It’s the only time that the West (4-1) and Tracy (1-3) varsity volleyball teams meet this year, so players on both sides made the most of their chance to claim local bragging rights.

West outside hitter Mellisa Villacarte said that an early lead for Tracy in the first game woke her team up, but it still didn’t get any easier to beat Tracy.

“We had to do our best and try hard. We fought,” she said. “Of course they’re our rivals. We’re all friends. That’s why we all play hard.”

Tracy sophomore Emily Anchartechahar said that a chance to play West always inspires her team.

“The cross-town rivalry, it’s pressure, but that makes us want to play harder,” she said. “We haven’t played this hard in a while, and the fans, the crowd, really boosted our confidence.”

Tracy started off strong in the first set before West senior Analisa Green showed her dominance at the net. Green logged a series of kills to put West in control, and went on to score 15 kills for the night and five blocks. West wrapped up the first game after Nani Nicanor and Mellisa Villacarte came to the service line to lead the Wolf Pack’s game-ending scoring drive.

Tracy proved much tougher in the second and third games, this time with sophomores Anchartechahar and Haley Ochoa making kill shots and strong serves to put Tracy in the lead. Anchartechahar had four aces and five kills, and Ochoa had three aces and four kills for the night.

West’s Green and Nikki Marquez made shots to tie the second game up 15-15, and play intensified after that as Tracy’s Lynsie Zellmer, with six kills and three blocks for the night, and West’s Lisia Tangi, with seven blocks for the night, helped keep it an even game until the end. Green hit one past Tracy’s blockers for the deciding point.

Other leaders for West included Nicanor with 25 assists and Jill Anastasio with 14 assists. Tracy had 16 assists from Shannon Carey and seven digs for Brianna Warner.

Green said the pre-league season is when her team discovers its strengths. She and Tangi, as the tall players, have a presence at the net, but they still depend on everyone else on the court.

“We had a little height advantage, but we’ve also got players who can pass well,” she said.

Tracy’s Ochoa said that Thursday’s game showed how the Lady Bulldogs can put together offensive plays.

“Every game we’re getting better,” she said. “This is just preseason. I think we’re getting way better, so when we got to league I think we’ll do great.”

West coach Christine Toon said this is also the point in the season where she and the players need to spot bad habits, such as going after a kill shot when the team has a chance to set up a better shot.

“I keep telling the girls that passing is the key. Everyone wants to hit and block, but if you don’t pass nobody gets to hit,” she said.

Tracy coach Mahina Tankersley said she is still adjusting positions on the court, and made changes from the first game to see her team more competitive in the second and third games.

“I based today’s lineup on warmups. Some people are on some days and some people are off,” she said. “Some players are versatile. They’re really flexible, no matter who’s in that position.

West won the sophomore contest in two games, 25-20, 25-20, on strong play at the net for Elise Green, three aces from Celena Carrisosa and 17 assists from Danielle Schmig.

Tracy’s freshmen beat West in three, 25-16, 22-25, 17-15, with Tracy’s Ellie Fisher leading her team at the service line and Daesha Brown controlling the game at the net.