Bonita Claims Volleyball Version of Smudge Pot, 3-1 — by Riley Hennessey

Bonita played like champions against San Dimas.

The Bonita High School Bearcats volleyball team crushed the San Dimas Saints in four games on Tuesday Sept. 14, 2010 at Bonita High School. Not only did the Bearcats win the Smudgepot for football this year, the volleyball team proved itself by beating the Saints for the second year in a row. Although the game was not a league game, it was the big rivalry match that volleyball fans from both schools were eagerly anticipating.

“Rivalry games are always fun and intense and the latest one with San Dimas was just that,” said Bearcats head coach Adriana Contreras. “As always at the beginning of the year there are definitely things that we need to work on but it was a good starting point and the girls did a good job of closing the Saints out in game four.”

This game was not only a chance for the Bearcats to beat San Dimas, but also an opportunity to make an early-season statement about the intensity and passion Bonita plans to bring to each game, no matter which team is lining up on the other side of the net

Both Bonita and San Dimas packed their respective sides of the gym. Despite featuring standout Bonita seniors Ashley Maxfedlt, who has accepted a full ride scholarship to Loyola Maramount, and powerful outside hitter Katie Kirby, the Saints were as ready as ever to beat the Bearcats and gain the title of the volleyball Smudgepot.

In game one, the Saints served first, which resulted in a quick spike by Kirby and quickly got the crowd roaring with excitement. The Saints, however, rallied to tie the score. Once the Bearcats’ Vicky Dennis made an amazing block to put the Bearcats ahead, Bonita slowly pulled away to clinch the opening contest, 25-10. Helping the Bearcats’ attack was junior middle blocker Bree Kenedy.

In game two, Maxfeldt started play with a service winner, and Bonita, still clearly riding the momentum from game one, cruised to a 25-11 victory.

With two wins, the Bearcats were pumped and ready to sweep their cross-town rivals. The Saints, however, had other ideas and played spiritedly. The score seesawed throughout the match before the Saints prevailed 27-25.

With the Saints now back in the game, the tension only mounted between the two teams. In game four, Maxfeldt again got the Bearcats off to a great start with her incredible serving and setting. After a Madison Zylstra spike, Bonita led 6-3. Bonita held that same three-point margin to lead 9-6. Then, led by Kirby’s powerful spikes, Bonita slowly expanded its lead before winning the fourth and final, 25-8.

“We made school history last year by advancing to the State tournament,” said Contreras after the game. “The girls gained some valuable experience that has given the entire program a taste of what can be achieved this year. So naturally we have the same aspirations of competing for league championships (in all levels) and reaching the State tournament again. We are working hard everyday to put ourselves in the position to do so”

On this night, Bonita’s will, desire, senior leadership and unselfish team play proved the winning edge against San Dimas. It was a good early-season test of what no doubt will be a season full of them if Bonita is to reach its goal of winning a CIF championship.