October 19, 2007

Evergreen Sports

Evergreen Valley’s homecoming first win of season

33-7 victory over Silver Creek best gift for fans

By Gary van den Heuvel
Staff Writer

Junior Luis Aranda led the offensive attack with 106 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns as the Evergreen Valley Cougars football team gave their fans a homecoming gift Friday, Oct. 12, scoring their first win of the season in a 33-7 rout of the visiting Silver Creek Raiders.

An Evergreen defensive player sacks Silver Creek quarterback Joseph Chua causing a fumble which was picked up by Jose Gonzalez of Evergeen on Friday night Oct. 12 at home in San Jose. Photos by Dan Miranda

Coach Leo Olmshied was both relieved and encouraged by his team's performance. "It was a great game for us, to finally get that first 'w' for our seniors. It's been a long time coming."

Evergreen Valley (1-2 in league, 1-5 overall) seemed determined to change their season-long fortunes quickly. Starting quarterback Derek Pauli, who Olmshied platoons with Rudy Zapien, directed the Cougars efficiently downfield on their first possession, completing passes of 23 and 14 yards along the way to receiver Andrew Dennis while Aranda and running back Ryan Portillo contributed yardage on the ground. Aranda took the ball in from the 13-yard line for the first score of the game and a 7-0 Evergreen lead.

Silver Creek responded with a nine-minute, 17-play drive sparked by the running of mobile quarterback Joseph Chua, but stalled out at the Cougar 30 yard line and came away empty-handed. The Raiders were able to tie the game several minutes later when Pauli, who threw the ball as he was being hit, tossed an interception into the hands of linebacker Abraham Dominguez. Dominguez returned the ball 57 yards for the score which tied the game 7-7.

The game was tied for just one play, however. The Silver Creek kickoff was deep enough that returner Derion Taylor was at full speed by the time the Raider coverage made it downfield, and he blazed by everyone, 89 yards for an Evergreen touchdown and a 13-7 lead (the extra point attempt was missed).

Evergreen's Louis Aranda runs for first down during their game against Silver Creek at home.

Evergreen padded their lead when, after a Taylor punt return gave the Cougars possession at the Raider 31, they ran on five straight plays, the last three from Portillo, who scored on a five yard touchdown run.

"Ryan's around the ball all the time, so we try to get him the ball on offense," said Coach Olmshied about Portillo. On defense we try to put him in the right spot so he can make a play."

Right before halftime the Cougar defense forced and recovered a fumble deep in Raider territory, and two plays later Pauli connected with Aranda on a short pass play. Aranda took it in for an 11-yard touchdown (the extra point attempt failed). When both teams left the wet, muddy field at halftime, Evergreen Valley held a 26-7 lead as a light rain began to fall.

The second half was dominated by defense, notably ball-hawking Evergreen linebackers Daniel Quilty and Jessie Carbajal. Constant pressure kept Chua on the run. "I was worried about that Number Four guy [Chua] running around on us," said Olmshied. One Ryan Portillo interception which he returned for a touchdown was called back because of a defensive holding penalty; Derion Taylor snagged an interception of his own and the Cougars' strong running game kept the Raiders at bay. The final score came late in the ballgame on a 10-yard run by Jarrel Williams and a final of 33-7.

"We've got five games left and this is game one," said Olmshied, whose team's win dropped Silver Creek to a won-loss record of 1-1 in the league, 1-4 overall. "We made a challenge to our o-line: we're going to run the ball; that was our goal for the week. They stepped up big."

Cougars best Live Oak in girls’ volleyball

By Gary van den Heuvel
Staff Writer

Evergreen senior Amanda Diep hits the ball during their game with Live Oak at Home on Oct. 16. The Cougars sweep the Acorns 3-0 to win the match. Photos by Dan Miranda

The Evergreen Valley Cougars girls’ volleyball team utilized their quickness to defeat the Live Oak Acorns 25-19, 25-23, 25-12 on Tuesday, Oct. 16, on the Evergreen High School campus.

"Live Oak is a tall team," said Evergreen coach Dio Aguinaldo. "We wanted to quicken our steps a little more because we wanted to use our quickness."

The Cougars, who improved to a 5-4 league record, started off quickly, jumping to a 4-0 lead in the first game behind the strong serving of senior Marissa Slaughter and strong net play from sophomores Inanna Eshoo and Sarah Dittbenner, but the Acorns jumped back to tie it at 4-4 on the serve of Jenna Robertson.

Evergreen Valley retook the lead and maintained the upper hand, capitalizing on Live Oak errors. A serve that went too long by Acorn Alika Lau ended game one with a 25-19 score in the Cougar's favor.

Game two was an exciting, close contest. Live Oak's Katie Armstrong's height was a factor, as she delivered several kills to keep the Acorns' spirits up. Evergreen's biggest deficit of the game was 11-8, but winners by Eshoo, senior Candice Marquez and two Acorn misplays gave the lead back to Evergreen, 12-11.

Moments later, Marquez took over the service at 15-14 and three serves later the score was 18-14. Live Oak (2-7 in league, 6-14 overall) made a final charge to tie the game at 22-22 led by a strong service from Robertson, Evergreen misplays and a kill from sophomore Annie Reyes-Ortiz. But the Cougars reclaimed the momentum and edged the Acorns 25-23 to take a 2-0 lead in this best of five match.

Sarah Dittbenner of Evergreen attempts to block the ball during their game with Live Oak.

"After we lost the second game it was like we had no confidence to come back," said Live Oak coach Laura Coleman warily. "We just get down on ourselves so badly, and we just need to fight through it, but you've got to fight instead of quit."

Evergreen sensed the end was near and didn't let up in game three. Eshoo served the Cougars to eight straight points helped by winners from Marquez, Dittbenner and sophomore Lanyssa Fiaui. The Cougars had quickly built a 9-1 lead, and moments later they led 14-2 after four straight points off Amanda Diep's service. And the Cougars never looked back, winning the game and match 25-12 on a kill from outside hitter Rebecca Valdivia.

Coach Aguinaldo was pleased with the team's balanced performance and encouraged by her squad's youth. "Our sophomore class is a very good core class. Our two left sides are both sophomores -- Lanyssa Fiaui and Inanna Eshoo and both of them have a lot of potential. Sarah Dittbenner is our only tall middle."

Coleman was philosophical in defeat. "It's not that they played poorly; they just didn't play with any enthusiasm," she said.

Aguinaldo is in her sixth season as Evergreen's coach, and she likes her team's prospects: "Everyone contributed, and if we continue to close like this, I think we'll be a contender in the CCS."

EVERGREEN SPORTS SCHEDULES 10-22 to 11-12

Evergreen Valley High sports schedule
10-23 –Girls’ volleyball at Westmont, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity
10-23 – Boys’ water polo vs. Willow Glen at Live Oak, 4 p.m. JV 5 p.m. varsity

10-25 – Girls’ volleyball vs. Leland, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity
10-25 – Girls’ water polo vs. Willow Glen at Sobrato, 4 p.m. varsity

10-26 – Frosh/Soph football at Mt. Pleasant, 5 p.m.
10-26 – Varsity football at Mt. Pleasant, 7:30 p.m.

10-30 – Girls’ volleyball vs. Lincoln, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

11-02 – Girls’ volleyball at Branham, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

Mt. Pleasant High sports schedule
10-23 – Girls’ volleyball vs. Leland, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

10-25 – Girls’ volleyball at Lincoln, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity
10-25 – Boys’ water polo vs. Piedmont at Independence, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity
10-25 – Girls’ water polo vs. Piedmont at Independence, 7 p.m. varsity

10-26 – Frosh/Soph football vs. Evergreen, 5 p.m.
10-26 – Varsity football vs. Mt. Pleasant, 7:30

10-30 – Girls volleyball vs. Branham, 5 p.m. JV 6 p.m. varsity

11-02 – Girls volleyball at Live Oak, 5 p.m. JV 6 p.m. varsity

Silver Creek High sports schedule
10-20 – Varsity football vs. Santa Teresa, 1:30 p.m.

10-24 – Girls’ volleyball vs. Piedmont, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

10-25 – Boys’ water polo at Sobrato, 3 p.m. varsity

10-26 – Girls’ volleyball vs. Santa Teresa, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

10-27 – Frosh/Soph football vs. Westmont, 11 a.m.
10-27 – Varsity football vs. Westmont, 1:30 p.m.

10-30 – Girls’ volleyball vs. Sobrato, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

11-01 – Frosh/Soph football at Del Mar, 3 p.m.
11-01 – Girls volleyball at Independence, 5 p.m. JV and 6 p.m. varsity

11-02 – Varsity football at Del Mar, 2:45 p.m.

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

SPORTS BRIEFS

Coyote Creek National Junior Basketball Sign-ups
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 and around Blossom Valley and South Evergreen.  

This year, we are offering a co-ed clinic for 2nd graders focusing on basketball fundamentals, divisional play 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. Our newest, very popular addition is a boys’ (and possibly girls') JV High School division for 9th/10th grade (maybe also a Varsity team for 11th/12th grade).

Practices start in October, first games are December 2nd. Fees are $100 (clinic), $235 (all other divisions), and discounts for multiple siblings.  Fees include shorts, jersey, weekly practices, and a minimum of 10 games.

Our fun-packed all-day season-opening Jamboree will be on Saturday, December 1st at Oak Grove High School with pictures, games, and lots of prizes.

For more information and online registration please visit www.coyotecreeknjb.com  or call Merv Reyes at (408) 674-2098 or Talaya Anderson at (408) 313-2169


World Class Tennis Instruction
Nirus Tennis Academy is offering specialized tennis coaching in another location in the Silver Creek/Evergreen area. They offer top level tennis coaching to all ages and experience levels starting with peewee tennis to Super Senior Social tennis.

Nirus Tennis Academy is proud to be associated with Evergreen Valley College for tennis instruction and to build community spirit through tennis. They offer group lessons, private lessons, round robin match play, ladder programs, Cardio Tennis, peewee programs, competitive match training, career counseling through tennis and much more.

Whether your goal is to play for your high school team, NORCAL level USTA tournaments, or even professional or college tennis, Nirus Tennis Academy coaches have the experience to make it happen. Coach Niru and KV, Directors of the Academy, have played ATP and WTA World level tennis. Coach Niru was a No. 1 ranked female Indian player for 10 years and has played Wimbledon, both the Australian and US Open tournaments and was a participant in the 2000 Olympics at Sydney, Australia. Coach KV is a top-level high performance USTA athlete and has produced top-ranked players. They are assisted by other certified coaches. Please visit www.nirustennis.com or call Coach Niru at 202 7061 for details and scheduling.


Point Break Volleyball Club Clinics and Tryouts
We will be holding volleyball skills clinics on October 21 and 28 from 5-7 p.m. at Santa Clara High School. The cost is $20 per session. Players are encouraged to come out and meet the Point Break coaches, players, and families, and get a taste of the club’s “Live Aloha” style. Players of all ages who wish to brush up on their skills before the tryout season begins are welcome to participate, whether they plan to tryout for a Point Break team or not. Tryouts for Power and Area teams will be held on November 3 at Lynbrook High School for $25. Power team tryouts for all ages will be from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Area team tryouts for all ages will be from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Be sure to come at least 45 minutes early to check in. If you cannot make it on that date, there will be make-up tryouts on November 11 from 4-6 p.m. at Santa Clara High School for all ages, for both Power and Area teams. The cost is $25. For more information, please visit our website, www.pointbreakvbc.com.

Sports Briefs: Sports Briefs listings are subject to the following fee structure: $25 per month, per publication for the Evergreen and Almaden Times; $10 per month, per publication for the monthly newspapers. Indicate publication placement at the time the listing/payment is submitted. Sports Briefs accepts checks – payable to Times Media, Inc – VISA or MC. To charge your payments call Sonia Pineda at 494-7000 x205. Be sure to reference your team/organization with your payment. Listings appear once payments are received. TMI sponsored events and full-proceed charity fundraisers exempted. Email, fax or mail listing text to: candy@timesmediainc.com 1310 Tully Road, Suite 107, San Jose, CA 95122. 408-494-7078 (fax) Limit 200 words. Questions? Call 494-7000 x225.