A new partnership ended up winning the deciding match for the Dos Pueblos girls beach volleyball against rival San Marcos and creating a tie for first place in the Channel League.
The duo of Layla McQuiggan and Hallie Rillie took 21-18, 21-18 victory over San Marcos’ Kaylin Cooney and Evyn Miller to give the Chargers a 3-2 victory at DP’s Twin Palms Courts on Tuesday.
It was the first loss of the season for San Marcos, which is ranked fifth in the CIF-SS Division 1.
Dos Pueblos and San Marcos are tied for first place at 9-1.
After losing in three sets at the No. 5 position last week at San Marcos, Dos Pueblos coach Mike FitzGerald made a partner change. He combined McQuiggan with Rillie, and they pair came through.
“They sealed the match for us playing together for the first time,” said FitzGerald.
“The wind posed a problem for our girls who usually have an opportunity to take some really solid swings,” said San Marcos co-coach Tina Brown. “That, along with some crucial service errors at the end of game 2, and DP squeezed by with a victory.”
The Chargers’ No. 1 team of Chloe Hoffman/Lucy Speier won over Riley Green/Lily Blankenhorn in straight sets, 21-15, 21-15.
San Marcos won at the No. 2 position as Alina Stapf/Josie Gamberdella rolled to a 21-6, 21-12 decision over Makeila Cervantes/Jayden Jones.
“Josie Gamberdella and Alina Stapf came out firing, took a quick lead and never looked back. They were solid from the service line, passing, defense and Josie’s attacking,” said Brown.
Elena Thomas and Katie Kracke played only their second game of the season together and they looked solid,” said Brown of her No. 3s. They defeated Malia Broffiero/Maddy Jones, 21-11, 21-17.
Addison Low/Sonia Mancuso of DP won at the fours, beating Brooke Hoadley/Devyn Brunet, 21-13, 21-17.
“We had a hard time getting into a groove even after Devyn’s crush in the midcourt to pull within two during the second game,” said Brown.