September 22, 2006

Evergreen Sports

Super ball

Retired NFL players storm the Villages
for fourth annual golf tournament

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

A Villages tee time on the morning of Sept. 18 meant you were exchanging grip tips with a Super Bowl Champion or betting skins with a Hall of Fame defensive back.

Northern California's Chapter of the NFL alumni association Honor Jackson (left) stands with Ray Jacobs, Larry Bates (far right) and the Villages Assistant Club Pro.

And Howard Cosell was there to call it all.

Thirty-six retired NFL men and Mr. C—a flawless impersonator of Cosell—stormed the Villages Golf and County Club September 18 with a hankering to play a round and a mission to raise money for area charities.

One celebrity football star rounded out each foursome who contributed money toward the cause, a reported $1,100 per group.

Beyond ‘the league’
Former New England Patriots defensive back and local NFL Alumni Association President Honor Jackson said the event was a blast and that the group hopes to return to the Villages next year. In total, more than 143 former players in all played a round Monday.

“Four years ago, we decided to create a tournament as a vehicle for us to be able to raise money for different children’s charities,” said Jackson. “We met and said that we would make it our goal.”

Jackson said the players literally hit the streets, called friends, knocked on doors and spoke with people they knew in businesses.

He described the push as a desire to offer underprivileged kids some of the same opportunities that sports have awarded the retired players in their lifetimes.

“There was always somebody in all of these athletes’ lives, some teacher, coach, friend, father, neighbor who helped them out, who said I think you can do better, whatever that might be,” Jackson said. “We want to be in that loop, and show them the right.”

Jackson is not alone on his mission. Wells Fargo’s main Silicon Valley branch donated a reported $50,000, according to Jackson and fellow event organizer Fred Sosa.

Sosa, a former 49er and current Villages resident, also said that Bob Troupe Construction donated approximately $25,000 toward the event.

“The media tends to focus on the negative stuff,” said Jackson, who cited an interception he snagged versus Bob Griese and playing against the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins team as highlights in his NFL experience. “Probably 95 percent of these athletes are doing good stuff, but there are so many people like us that actually had to work for a living that want to be role models, that want to help others since we were fortunate enough to play and get benefits.”
Jackson, who retired last year after spending approximately 30 years in management at Long’s Drugs, following his playing days, recalled meeting members of the Kennedy family during his time as a Patriot.

“That was something I would never get to do in my lifetime, but I was able to do that,” he said. “I wouldn’t get to do that because they weren’t in my circle.”

Welcome to Evergreen
Evergreen inherited the fourth annual Northern California NFL Retired Players’ Association golf tournament, with proceeds benefiting the George Marx Hospice in San Leandro and ex-Green Bay Packer Mike Carter’s charity, Pro Youth, for the first time in 2006.

The event was formerly held at The Bridges Golf Club, but the group was pleased to hold it in Evergreen this year, in exchange for the hilly San Ramon facility. Players reported a more enjoyable experience thanks to balls saved and easy travel between holes.

“We owe a lot of thanks to the Villages,” said Jackson. “They have been more than helpful. They provided probably 40 volunteers to help.”

Jackson added, “Sometimes when competitive guys get together on the golf course, they try to move the ball or put erasers on the ends of those pencils.”

But Villages volunteers helped score and an outright winner was determined.

Winners’ circle
With decades of athletic prowess filling the field, it was anybody’s call who would capture the tournament title.

In the end, however, it was a group that included event coordinator Sosa. Area golfers Jim Yates, Paul Pugh, Bill Rex, Ken Yarak and Sosa finished 14 strokes under par.

“We actually all did pretty good,” said Sosa.

Sosa said that ex-Minnesota Viking ‘Touchdown’ Tommy Wilson also played with the foursome. Wilson was not sure whether he could play until the time of the tournament. He has been battling cancer.

But he showed up, and strong on the links.

“I didn’t know if ‘Touchdown’ Tommy would play,” said Sosa. “It’s been hard in and out of the hospital. It makes it very difficult. But Tommy played really well, damn good for wearing a colostomy.”

Fifties star Wilson is a throwback on the golf course as well. He plays cross-handed.

“I’ll tell you, he has some strong wrists,” said Sosa.

Faces in the crowd
You’d be surprised who lives next door. It seems that a large number of former NFL athletes actually live in close vicinity to San Jose and Evergreen in particular.

Fred ‘the Hammer’ Williamson worked his way through the crowd prior to tee time. Sosa said Super Bowl Champion Rod Woodson, Hall of Fame 49er Jimmy Johnson, ex-Raiders Mervyn Fernandez and Dave Casper, ex-49er Ted Popson, and former Seattle fullback Larry Bates also made appearances.

Pittsburgh Steelers Pro-bowler Mike Merriweather also enjoyed himself, and some good-natured joking courtesy of the Cosell impersonator, Mr. C.

Several players, in fact, inhabit the Villages itself. Neither ex-San Jose State standout and former Raiders quarterback Chon Gallegos, nor former NFL offensive lineman Ray Jacobs had far to walk home after the celebration dinner. Neither did Sosa.

Jacobs elaborated on his experiences in the league. He recalled being called up to play in the NFL during the Korean War. Many NFL players were drafted to fight at the time, and that’s how Jacobs received his big break.

Yet, Jacobs said professional sports were entirely different in those days. While he held that players in the 1950s were perhaps mentally tougher, he considers today’s breed to be consummate professionals.

“Today they are finely tuned and well-conditioned athletes,” he said.

“We worked two jobs,” he added.

Jacobs served double duty on the New York Giants’ offensive line during the fall and in the New York DA’s office throughout the rest of the year, a distinctly different lifestyle than that enjoyed by today’s players under contract.

Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Doug Hollie also enjoyed giving back in life. When he was growing up in Detroit, circa 1970, an NFL player returned and held a camp for kids who were Hollie’s age to experience. Hollie called participating in that camp and interacting with professional players a major influence in helping to shape his views and determination in reaching his own potential, which ultimately landed him in the NFL.

In return, Hollie recently founded a camp in Pleasanton, which aims to offer local kids the same opportunities that he was afforded as a kid. Hollie oversees a free, full-contact football camp, and aims to do so twice each year.

Social hour
Of course, everybody loved Mr. C, who gained fame for his Howard Cosell impersonation through several on-air stints with talk show hosts on local sports radio station KNBR 680. Following the tournament, the association held an awards banquet in the Villages’ clubhouse, hosted by Mr. C, who is also getting some exposure nationally with appearances on Monday Night football, as well as other events.

“Our biggest attraction was Mr. C,” said Sosa.

SPORTS BRIEFS

Coyote Creek National Junior Basketball signups
NJB (National Junior Basketball) is a nonprofit organization with local chapters in 6 states.  The Coyote Creek chapter services the greater South San Jose area in an around Blossom Valley and South Evergreen.  

This year, we are offering a co-ed clinic for 2nd graders, divisional play in three grade levels for 3rd/4th, 5th/6th, and 7th/8th grade boys, and the same for girls. We also offer an "All-Net" division for a higher level of competition with four girls’ and four boys’ teams (one each) from 5th to 8th grade. Last, but not least, we are also running a boys’ JV High School division for 9th and 10th graders. 

Practices start in October, while first games are December 3rd. Fees are $100 for the 2nd grade clinic, $225 for all other divisions with discounts for multiple siblings.

Online registration is open at our website www.coyotecreeknjb.com or attend open registration on Sept 16 at Oak Grove High School.  

- Divisional  evaluations are on Sept. 30, Oct. 1, or Oct. 2

- All-Net Try-outs are on Oct. 7, 8, or 9

- All evaluations will be held at Oak Grove High School.

- Opening Day Jamboree will be held on Saturday, December 2 at Oak Grove High School.

St. Francis of Assisi Annual Golf Tournament Oct. 12
The St. Francis of Assisi Annual Golf Tournament at The Villages Golf & Country Club will be held Thursday, October 12.

Golf Participants may register for the tournament by calling Rose Agerter at (408) 592-5051 or St. Francis of Assisi at (408) 223-1562. There will be a lunch for golfers, as well as a dinner and auction. Parish raffle tickets are also available at the event.

Golf Tee-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Prizes include a dream vacation or $5000, as well as a 42-inch HDTV or $2000 cash.

For information about the event, call Rose Agerter at (408) 592-5051 or St. Francis of Assisi at (408) 223-1562.

East Valley Softball early bird signups
East Valley Girls Fastpitch Softball is holding early bird signups for the coming season.
Signups are for girls age 5 to 16 at the Day in the Park event, held at Lake Cunningham Regional on October 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Items required at the time of registration (no exceptions) are as follows:

- Completed registration form (available at registration and online) 

- A copy of the player’s birth certificate (to keep in our files)

- The registration fee in full (no scholarships available)

- A complete release of liability and assumption of risk agreement (available at registration and online)

- Volunteer signups (each family will be required to sign up)

Forms will be available at the time of registration or can be retrieved at our Web site: www.eteamz.com/evsltwisters

For more information, please call the East Valley Softball League Telephone line (408) 291-3248.

Pat Tillman Foundation announces Pat’s Run dates for 2007

The Pat Tillman Foundation is pleased to announce its third annual Pat's Run in Tempe will be held April 7, 2007, at Sun Devil Stadium/Frank Kush Field, while its second annual San Jose run will be held Sunday, April 29, 2007, at Pat Tillman Stadium at Leland High School.

"We look forward to watching Pat's Run continue to improve, not only in numbers but in the quality of the events surrounding them," said race director and friend of Tillman, Perry Edinger, who was the football trainer at Arizona State University while Tillman was a linebacker and also helped train him for a marathon. "The past two years the numbers have been outstanding, and we look forward to promoting and staging not only the Run, but the Kid's Area and the Kid's Run."

The race in Tempe was moved to one week earlier this year due to the Ironman Triathlon taking place in Tempe the weekend of April 14-15.

On April 15, 2006, the foundation held the second annual Pat’s Run Tempe, which ran around the campus at Arizona State with nearly 10,000 participants. All funds raised from the Tempe race benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation's Leadership Through Action Program at Arizona State's W.P. Carey School of Business.

Participants pour through the start gate at the first annual Pat Tillman Memorial Run April 30, 2006 at Leland High School. Photo by Jeff Frazee

Nearly 5,000 people were part of the inaugural Pat's Run in San Jose on April 30, 2006. Through corporate and community sponsorship, along with participant entry fees, the run raised enough funding to launch a leadership program at South Bay area high schools.

Money raised from both runs (www.patsrun.com) aids the Pat Tillman Foundation and the Leadership Through Action program at Arizona State University. Pat's Run was created to celebrate the life of San Jose native and Arizona State graduate Pat Tillman, a scholar-athlete who first earned the nation's respect through his academic achievements and accomplishments as a football player for the Arizona Cardinals and at Arizona State and later for his service to our country after the Sept. 11 attacks. The run is inclusive of runners and non-runners alike with a 4.2-mile run/walk and a 0.42-mile kids’ run. All distances commemorate the number 42, which Pat wore during his days at Leland High School and at Arizona State.

About the Pat Tillman Foundation
The Tillman family created the Pat Tillman Foundation following his death in April 2004. The foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, is determined to carry Pat's legacy forward by inspiring people to make positive changes in themselves and in the world around them. To learn more about the Pat Tillman Foundation, visit its Web site at www.pattillmanfoundation.org.

EVERGREEN SPORTS SCHEDULES 9-26 to 10-6

Evergreen Valley High sports schedule
9/26 – Girls’ tennis at Prospect, 3:15 p.m.
9/26 – Girls’ volleyball vs. Leigh, 6 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. JV

9/27 – Boys’ water polo at Independence, 6 p.m. varsity
9/27 – Girls’ water polo at Independence, 7 p.m. varsity and 6 p.m. JV

9/28 – Cross country vs. Willow Glen and Leigh at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.
9/28 – Girls’ volleyball at Branham, 6 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. JV
9/28 – Girls’ tennis at Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.

9/29 – Football vs. Del Mar, 7 p.m. varsity and 4:30 frosh/soph

10/3 – Girls’ water polo at Sobrato, 5 p.m. varsity and 4 p.m. JV
10/3 – Boys’ water polo vs. Mt. Pleasant at Lincoln, 5 p.m. varsity and 4 p.m. frosh/soph
10/3 – Girls’ tennis at Overfelt, 3:15 p.m.
10/3 – Girls’ volleyball at Live Oak, 6 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. JV

10/5 – Girls’ water polo vs. Lincoln at Independence, 5 p.m. varsity and 4 p.m. JV
10/5 – Girls’ volleyball vs. Piedmont Hills, 6 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. JV
10/5 – Girls’ tennis vs. Westmont, 3:15 p.m.
10/5 – Cross Country vs. Mt. Pleasant, Santa Teresa, Leigh and Silver Creek at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.

10/6 – Girls’ tennis first round of BVAL singles and doubles play, time TBA

Mt. Pleasant High sports schedule
9/26 – Girls’ volleyball at Live Oak, 6 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. JV
9/26 – Girls’ tennis vs. Westmont, 3:15 p.m.

9/27 – Boys’ water polo at Live Oak, 4 p.m. varsity and 3 p.m. frosh/soph
9/27 – Girls’ water polo at Lincoln, 4 p.m. varsity and 3 p.m. JV

9/28 – Girls’ tennis at Yerba Buena, 3:15 p.m.
9/28 – Cross country vs. Leland at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.
9/28 – Girls’ volleyball at Piedmont Hills, 6 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. JV

9/29 – Football vs. Silver Creek, 7:30 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. frosh/soph

10/3 – Girls’ water polo at Independence, 4 p.m. varsity and 3 p.m. JV
10/3 – Girls’ tennis vs. Prospect, 3:15 p.m.
10/3 – Boys’ water polo vs. Evergreen at Lincoln, 5 p.m. varsity and 4 p.m. frosh/soph
10/3 – Girls’ volleyball vs. Westmont, 6 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. JV

10/5 – Girls’ water polo vs. Silver Creek at Sobrato, 5 p.m. varsity
10/5 – Girls’ tennis at Overfelt, 3:15 p.m.
10/5 – Cross Country vs. Evergreen, Santa Teresa, Leigh and Silver Creek at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.
10/5 – Girls’ volleyball at Leland, 6 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. JV

10/6 - Football vs. Gunderson, 7:30 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. frosh/soph
10/6 – Girls’ tennis first round of BVAL singles and doubles play, time TBA

Silver Creek High sports schedule
9/26 – Girls’ tennis vs. Santa Teresa, 3:15 p.m.

9/27 – Girls’ volleyball vs. Independence, 6:30 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. JV
9/27 – Boys’ water polo at Sobrato, 3 p.m. varsity
9/27 – Girls’ water polo at Sobrato, 6 p.m. varsity

9/28 – Girls’ tennis at Leigh, 3:15 p.m.
9/28 – Cross country vs. Santa Teresa and Piedmont Hills at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.

9/29 – Girls’ volleyball vs. Santa Teresa, 5 p.m. varsity and 3:30 p.m. JV
9/29 – Football at Mt. Pleasant, 7:30 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. frosh/soph

10/3 – Girls’ tennis vs. Live Oak, 3:15 p.m.
10/3 – Girls’ volleyball at Willow Glen, 6:30 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. JV
10/3 - Boys’ water polo vs. Santa Teresa at Independence, 6 p.m. varsity
10/3 – Girls’ water polo at Lincoln, 3 p.m. varsity

10/5 - Boys’ water polo vs. Willow Glen at Independence, 6 p.m. varsity
10/5 – Girls’ volleyball at Andrew Hill, 6:30 p.m. varsity and 5 p.m. JV
10/5 – Girls’ tennis at Piedmont Hills, 3:15 p.m.
10/5 – Girls’ water polo vs. Mt. Pleasant at Sobrato, 5 p.m. varsity
10/5 – Cross Country vs. Evergreen, Santa Teresa, Leigh and Mt. Pleasant at Montgomery Hill, 3:30 p.m.

10/6 – Girls’ tennis first round of BVAL singles and doubles play, time TBA

For more information on local games, log on to the BVAL Web site at http://www.bval.org/

Cougar football silences Padres on both sides of the ball

Evergreen cruises to first win of season

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Evergreen Valley running back Quentin Scott scored four touchdowns, and the Cougar defensive corps silenced Carmel’s high-flying aerial attack on September 15 to notch its first gridiron victory of the year at home.

The Cougar defense stood strong Friday, silencing an aerial attack that had averaged more than 30 points per game coming into the contest versus Evergreen. Photo by Justin Petersen

The Cougars (1-1) squashed Carmel 49-14 Friday evening, in an apparent coming out party for a squad that has grand expectations to contend for the Santa Teresa Division crown with first year coach Leo Olmscheid at the helm.

Olmscheid was hired when recently retired coach Dee Quinet, who installed a budding tradition at Evergreen since the school opened five years ago, left last spring.

“We gelled a lot better on offense Friday,” said Olmscheid. “We were able to move the ball with run and pass. There were not as many mental mistakes as there were in the first game.”

While Evergreen’s talent dominated the Padres from start to finish, the Cougars entered the game eager to erase the memory of a 28-0 loss at Los Altos it suffered in the season opener the week before. The Padres (2-1), meanwhile, had dominated two opponents handily with an open throwing attack, including a 50-0 victory at Harbor.

Olmscheid said he just told his team to focus.

“I told our defense that this was a high-powered offense and that we needed to step it up and play,” he said. “We wanted to get pressure on the quarterback. He has a good strong arm, so we brought pressure off the edge and up the middle. Otherwise, he could sit back and pick us apart.”

“Carmel might have underestimated us,” added Olmscheid.

While the name of the game was defense at practice preceding the Carmel game, Olmscheid said it was offense that sealed the victory.

“We wanted to try to run the ball at them, then get it out to the receivers as quick as possible,” he said. “We wanted to stretch the field vertically and we accomplished that.”

The Cougars game plan was also centered on getting the ball to Scott, who finished with 85 yards rushing on 21 carries and four scores.

Yet Olmscheid attributed much of the offensive outburst to junior quarterback Derek Pauli. According to Olmscheid, Pauli injected energy into the Cougar offensive, taking advantage of opportunities that Scott’s running threat opened up. Pauli threw for 203 yards and 3 touchdowns on 11 of 15 passing.

Pauli emerged following a gut check administered by Olmscheid after the first game versus Los Altos.

“I talked to him after the Los Altos game,” said Olmscheid. “I told him if he wants to be our guy, then he needs to step up.”

Olmscheid said he was pleased with Pauli’s response and called him a blossoming leader.

Other standouts included junior Abrian Alferez, who kept the Carmel’s passing game from establishing any rhythm while sending Carmel’s quarterback scrambling to escape defensive pressure.

Sophomore middle linebacker A.J. Landis also enjoyed a big night, making nine tackles and recording a sack.

“A.J. is a guy that has accomplished everything I have asked of him,” said Olmscheid. “He is still learning the game, so he is not a fantastic middle linebacker, but he’s [getting there]. We are hoping by midseason that he is going to be All-Star type.”

Cougar wide receiver Anthony Alexander also enjoyed the spotlight, catching two passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. The highlight play was a 50-yard touchdown catch in which Alexander broke two tackles and gathered himself with a spin, en route to the end zone.

Running back Justin Stephens also contributed mightily on offense as the game’s second leading rusher with 69 yards in nine carries.

13th annual Almaden Times Classic this Sunday at Leland High

The 13th annual Almaden Times Classic 2 Mile/10 K Run/Walk sponsored by the Almaden Valley Counseling Service Auxiliary will be held this Sunday, Sept. 24, starting at 9 a.m. at Leland High School.

This event is the first of three races to be held in San Jose. Runners are encouraged to participate in the San Jose “Hat Trick.” Those who run in all three races—The Almaden Times Classic, the Rock N Roll Half Marathon held on Oct. 8 and the Metro Silicon Valley Marathon Oct. 29 and —will receive a special award recognizing their distinctive place in the San Jose running/walking community.

A crowd of runners gets a quick start from the starting line at the 12th annual Almaden Times Classic, held Oct. 9 at Leland High School. More than 400 runners took part in this year’s event. Photo by Diego Abeloos

To register for the Hat Trick, you must sign up at the Almaden Times Classic race. (This does not obligate you in any way to complete the Hat Trick, but it will let organizers know that you are going to make the attempt.)

If you are among the first 100 people to register for and complete all three races, you will receive a special San Jose Sharks game-used hockey puck signed by several team stars to denote your elite status in the Silicon Valley running and walking communities. In addition, the five fastest men and women (measured by combined time over the three races), will be invited to take in a Sharks game (date TBD) from a luxury suite. The evening will include a visit from Sharkie and a welcoming announcement during the game.

For more information on The “Hat Trick” e-mail doug@evolve-sports.com.

This weekend’s Classic features awards for eight age groups. This year’s prizes feature gift certificates from two new fitness programs coming to Almaden, Sports Fitness Camp, which works out of Leland High School, and Athletic Nation, a men’s fitness gym. In addition, there will be gift certificates from Classic Car Wash, Sonoma Chicken Coop (coming soon to Almaden Valley) McDonalds, In N Out Burger and Carl Jurman Chiropractor.

All winners will receive a visor with a top finisher logo. New also this year is a prize for the youngest and oldest runner.

All runners will receive a goodie bag with coupons and other valuable items. There are special rates for families and nonprofit groups.

Back by popular demand, 123 Cheese will take photos of the runners, which will be available for purchase.

For more information on the race, visit www.avcounseling.org. You can register online at www.active. com or call (408) 997-0200. Leland High School is at 6677 Camden Avenue.

Evergreen Valley girls’ volleyball drops league opener 3-0 to Leland

Cougars enter 2006-07 league play as the newest members of the Mt. Hamilton Division

By Diego Abeloos
Editor

The Evergreen Valley girls’ volleyball team got off to a tough start in league play, dropping a 3-0 loss at home to Leland on Sept. 19.

The Cougars huddle on the court during a 3-0 loss to Leland on Sept. 19 in the team’s league opener. The Cougars jumped up a division in 2006-07, going from the Santa Teresa Division to the Mt. Hamilton Division. Photos by Jeff Frazee

The Cougars (0-1 league, 5-3 overall) entered league play on Sept. 19 with one noticeable difference – the league they’re playing in. After spending the 2005-06 season in the Santa Teresa Division and reaching the CCS Playoffs, the Cougars find themselves in a tough and competitive Mt. Hamilton Division this season.

Cougars’ head coach Dio Aguinaldo said the move to the A-league has been an adjustment for her team.

“I think transitioning into the A-league, you don’t realize until you’re actually playing in the league just how good the teams are,” Aguinaldo said of Evergreen’s move to the Mt. Hamilton Division. “Maybe this is a blessing in disguise, losing our first season-opener. Maybe it’ll help us realize that we can’t take the schools that we face from now on lightly.”

And while Aguinaldo returns a 2006-07 team with several familiar faces, the key difference on this year’s team is how all of the players get along and play together on the court.

“We have almost the same crew as last year, but I think the difference this year is that our chemistry is there,” Aguinaldo said. “Today, playing Leland, I don’t think we were ready to play Leland at this level. I don’t think - because it was a league opener - that we realized just how good Leland was. I hope the girls take this loss and they learn from it and work harder. I hope it motivates them to really step up their game. This team has a lot of potential.”

The 3-0 loss – by scores of 25-19, 25-16 and 25-15 – saw the Cougars hang close with Leland for much of the early portion of the match. In game one, Leland jumped out to a 14-8 lead early, only to see the Cougars claw back later to draw within two points of the Chargers’ lead at 20-18. Leland then finished off game one on a 5-1 scoring run.

Game two saw the Cougars compete early, drawing to a 10-10 tie before taking a brief 11-10 lead on a Lilea Eshoo kill. Leland responded back by going on its largest scoring run of the night, a 9-1 stretch to take a 19-12 lead before taking game two by a final score of 25-16.

In game three, Leland took its biggest lead of the night late with a 21-10 advantage, before the Cougars had one more small scoring run in them, a 5-2 scoring stretch. However, Leland was able to take game three on consecutive Cougar hitting errors for a 25-15 final and a 3-0 win overall.

In spite of the win, Leland head coach Chris Hansen said Evergreen is a team to be reckoned with and is anticipating a tougher match from the Cougars the next time the two teams face on Oct. 12. Hansen said she was particularly concerned with Cougars Lilea Eshoo and Krista Frausto and their combined play at the net. Eshoo led the Cougars with eight kills in the loss.

“We were very nervous playing them,” Hansen said of Evergreen. “They have two players, (Lilea Eshoo) and (Krista Frausto), and when they’re in the front row together, that’s trouble for us.”

And while there’s plenty of work still ahead for the Cougars, Aguinaldo said she’s confident in her team’s ability to compete this season in the Mt. Hamilton Division.

“It’s pretty closely matched,” she said of the Mt. Hamilton Division competition in 2006-07. “Hopefully, by the end of the season, we’ll be right up there with the rest of them.”