Lady Grizzlies last game
Marissa Martinez | 10/30/07| Volleyball

The Porterville Panther's gym was filled with the colors green, orange, black, and maroon, which was the perfect setting for a cross-town volleyball game on Monday, October 29. This was the last game of the season for Granite Hills and although it ended with a loss to Porterville High, there were many highlights throughout this game.

The starters for the first match were Kari Burrough, Sylvia Ramirez, Emmy Lou Dowling, Jennifer Landers, Sarah Blackburn, and Nichole Rafana. Intensity was all around the court as the six players from Granite stepped onto the floor. The Lady Grizzlies and the Lady Panthers went quickly to 5-5, battling to take a lead on one another. Setter, Landers worked hard to cover the middle court area and helped Granite get a lead at 10-7. A constant threat to Granite's defense was Porterville's outside hitter, number eight, and backrow player, number 2. Seniors Ramirez and Dowling managed to put a hard block against the Lady Panthers with the score now 13-11, Granite up. Nichole Rafana shakes things up a bit, as she steps onto the court ready to make good plays. Just then, junior Bonny Sourinhamath puts down a kill against Porterville, earning Granite one point. Offensively, Ramirez and Burrough placed a block on Porterville, this began create problems defensively for Porterville. Lady Panthers call for the first time-out with the Lady Grizzlies up 17-15. Coming back into the game Granite managed to keep a one point lead at 21-20, while Blackburn played tight on the net. In the end, it was a closely battled game, but the Lady Grizzlies were beat by the Lady Panthers, 26-24.

Landers started things off with the first serve of the game being an ace! Porterville took a quick five point lead and Granite's defense took a turn for the worst, at 12-6. Senior Ramirez and Burrough tried to keep the teams spirits up as the worked around the net. The Lady Grizzlies began their comeback with the score of 17-9, Granite down. Overall, Porterville had good communication on the court and Granite let another win slip away, 25-13.

Starters for the third game were Dowling, Landers, Rispoli, Ramirez, and Blackburn. The Lady Panthers tried to take another lead, but with Rispoli and Ramirez playing front row the task was difficult. Setter Landers gave a quick set to tie the game up at 6-6. Just then senior Wendy Champaheuang was thrown into backrow and right away was hitting the floor trying to pick up Porterville's serves. The Lady Panthers rallied up to take a lead at 13-7 after a few minutes. Granite's defense was again put to the test and Porterville began to come out on top with the score of 17-10. Even with the Lady Grizzlies coming together as team it still wasn't enough to get a win against the Lady Panthers. Porterville took another win at 25-20.

"This game should have been a win, but we didn't work together, or come together; we played as individuals and not as a team," said Coach Clair.
The players of the game were setter Jennifer Landers who had four kills and also had numerous assist throughout the night. Senior Sylvia Ramirez had an all around great night as she played her last game as Lady Grizzly. Her defense was very strong as she completed many passes to Landers. Senior Sarah Blackburn had a good night in general and had good offensive plays as well as having good serves against Porterville.

This was the last game of the season and Granite Hills volleyball team thanks everyone for all their support this season!