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........................... Nov. 02 - Nov. 15, 2001
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| Dolphins Clinch Division Championship | |
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Fresh off the Shoreline Crossover Tournament, the Dolphins have gone 3-1 against league teams, resulting in their victory over the NWAACC North Division and their claim to the division championship. No matter the outcome of their last game at Olympic this Monday, November 5th, the Dolphin's dominating record secures them the championship with the Whatcom Orcas (8-3 in league play, 13-3 overall) having no chance of catching up.
"(This year's team is) by far the best volleyball team in the 19 years I've been here," Athletic Director Ken Burrus said.
The Dolphins have rebounded from a couple of rough pre-season tournaments where they went 2-5 and 5-5. Since then, however, the ten wins and the SCC Crossover Tournament championship have elevated their game to - literally - above the net.
"The kids are confident," Dolphins coach Raquel West said. "One of their goals was to win the SCC tournament - the second was to win the (North Division) championship. They've done both."
After losing the first game of their regular season to Bellevue on Wednesday, October 24th, the Dolphins entered the Holloween Classic Tournament, hosted at Mt. Hood, that weekend.
SCC went 2-1 the first day losing only to Columbia Basin (2-6 in season play, 2-6 overall) and defeating Linn-benton (2-8 in season play, 3-8 overall) and Green River (11-1 in season play, 13-2 overall), qualifying them for the championship bracket. The Dolphins faced stiff competition the second day of the tournament, however, losing to Spokane (8-0 in season play, 8-1 overall) three games to one. A consecutive loss to Clackamas (5-6 in season play, 10-7 overall) eliminated their chance for a championship.
Despite the recent losses, there is a sentiment that the team will rebound in time for the NWAAC tournament hosted by Bellevue on Nov. 15 - 17.
"Every team has its ups and downs," Burrus said. "but they have time to get ready for the tournament ahead."
A key member of this year's Dolphins has been Peruvian add-on Natalia Mondeverde. Racking up as many as 130 kills in one week, she has led her team in the remarkable season achieved by the Dolphins so far.
"She's having a heck of year," Burrus said. "She's a lot of fun to watch."
West, also a Peruvian, has observed Monteverde's integration into the team through out the season.
"She's doing good - working hard, building her confidence. She is the leader of the team and helping them build up."
The road ahead for the Dolphins runs straight and focused - the NWAACC championship. At the tournament, the accomplishments of the regular season and prior tournaments are discarded, and in a communistic sort of way, everyone is brought down to ground level.
"It's going to be a good test for them," Burrus said.
West, admitting the upcoming tournament will be a "challenge," feels confident of her nearly all-freshmen team, but grateful to the people that made the season possible.
"(The season has been) rewarding for everyone - the coaches, players, and for the school. It takes a lot of work from everyone to get to where we are."
West's experience this year has integrated a part of herself into the school, making SCC a second home to her.
"(The North Division Championship) is everyone's championship," she said. "I tell my players, 'the school is a happy little family.' "
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| by Chris Collins | |
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