GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Warriors Rally Past Cap

The Score: South San Francisco 3, Capuchino 1.

The Star: South City's Malia Muin totaled 14 kills and three aces in leading her team to the Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division win. The sophomore middle hitter's jump-serving proved decisive in the Warriors' road victory.

The Turning Point: South City's middle hitters Erin Lovelace and Malia Muin unleashed a barrage of spikes in the third game to create a cushion with a 17-12 lead.

The Quote: "We have to have more of a killer instinct for us to start winning games." -- Capuchino coach Nilo Mauricio, after his team fell to 1-8 in the PAL Ocean.

What's Next?: South City looks to avenge a 3-1 loss when it visits second-place Half Moon Bay on Thursday, Oct. 21. Capuchino, which has lost five straight league matches, visits El Camino the same day, its final match against the Colts.

The Bottom Line: South City's length and athleticism proved more than enough to beat the Mustangs. The Warrriors' ability to execute accurately and get points off serves opened the match up in the visitors' favor.

________________________________________________________________

The South San Francisco High girls volleyball team withstood a first-game loss, bouncing back to take the next three games to win a Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division match against host Capuchino on Tuesday. South City prevailed 20-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-21 to sweep the season series from the Mustangs.

The Warriors recorded a three-game home victory over Capuchino on Sept. 23 in the teams' first league match.

Capuchino (4-10, 1-8 PAL Ocean), losers of five straight league matches, came out aggressively at the outset. The Mustangs opened with strong serves from senior middle hitter Victoria Chavez, who also kept South City's defense off balance with surprise tips at the net.

"I just try to keep the ball in play," said Chavez. "We work together and talk to each other."

South City (11-10, 4-5) effectively used its size and athleticism early in the game. But the Mustangs battled back from a 13-7 deficit to knot it at 18, and they didn't look back.

An ace from sophomore libero Lauren Formalejo and a block by Chavez proved enough to stake Capuchino to the early match lead.

After the teams went back and forth to start the second game, senior captain Brittany Yue helped South City build a 12-10 lead with an ace of her own.

Capuchino's defense made every effort to keep possessions alive by making crucial digs, but Erin Lovelace's length and spike accuracy in the middle gave the Warriors the game, 25-21.

Lovelace further established her dominance in the third game, punishing every mistake the Mustangs made and attacking Capuchino's defensive gaps.

"Usually lefties aren't middle hitters, but being a lefty makes it hard to block me," said Lovelace. "That gives us confidence to keep going."

The Warriors made use of timely scores and Capuchino's hitting and digging woes to pull away for a comfortable 10-point win.

South City's serving was a huge scoring key in the fourth game, as Yue had three consecutive aces to push her team in front 14-7. Middle hitter Malia Muin followed with some impressive jump-serve aces of her own.

"I've been jump-serving from the beginning of this season," said Muin, who had a match-high 14 kills and three blocks, as well as three aces on the day. "It's a personal preference."

Capuchino came back to close the gap at 22-21 after South City's offensive misfires, but it wasn't enough after Lovelace spiked one down the middle to finish off the Warriors' league win.

"Malia has been doing it lately. We do really well when one of our players performs well -- it builds up everyone's confidence," said South City coach Jillian Baires.

________________________________________________________________

South San Francisco 3, Capuchino 1

Kills -- SSF: M. Muin 14. Cap: G. Tudury 8.

Aces -- SSF: B. Yue 4. Cap: S. Lehaui 5.

Assists –  Cap: S. Lehaui 19.

Digs – SSF: R. Wong 5. Cap: L. Formalejo 14.

Blocks – SSF: M. Muin 3. Cap: W. Tongilava 1.

Records -- South City 11-10, 4-5 PAL Ocean. Capuchino 4-10, 1-8.

Additional Scores: Frosh-Soph

South San Francisco 2, Capuchino 0 (25-17, 25-13)

Notes: South City got in front early in the first game with a 13-0 run. The Warriors didn't look back and dominated throughout.