By Jackson Burchard
This year, Point Loma women’s volleyball ended its fall season in the first round of the CIF tournament, with a disappointing five set loss to Westview High School. Head coach Said Souikane guided the Pointers to a 22-20 overall record and a 2-6 league record, a minor improvement over last season’s 18-17 record.
The Pointers enjoyed their most success at the SoCal Invitational, making it all the way to the finals. In pool play, they went 2-1, beating Bonita Vista and Barry Goldwater High School of Arizona. They then moved into the brackets on October 12 as a last seed, beating Rancho Buena Vista in the round of 16. Point Loma carried on to the finals as the underdog, beating 33-7 South Pasadena as well as 31-7 Verrado High School from Buckeye, Arizona. Eventually, they fell to Flintridge Sacred Heart in the finals, after a thrilling 3rd set loss by two points.
The Pointers were led on offense by Juniors Abby Tadder and Jane Petrie. Tadder, a middle blocker and opposite, posted a team-high 279 kills, a point winning shot, and averaged 2.9 kills-per-set. Defensively, Point Loma’s backcourt was paced by Sophomore Katherine Jacobsen and Senior Maggie Wolf. Jacobsen, libero and defensive setter, led the team with 232 digs (keeping the ball in play off the other team’s attack), averaging seven per match. Wolf, a setter, had 149 digs, while also leading the team in 323 assists. At the net, Junior middle blocker Abby Tadder led the team with 95 total blocks.
With only one graduating senior, there is definitely a lot of potential with Lady Pointer’s volleyball. There is a lot to look forward to in girl’s volleyball in the years to come. When asked about next season, Junior Mackenzie Caffo said, “I am super excited for the upcoming season because we will be stronger and more consistent as a team having only lost one senior.” Go Pointers!