Team rallies from rough start win bronze bracket at Under Armour National Championships
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LAS VEGAS >> The Never Say Die 18s club volleyball team rallied from a tough start to win the bronze bracket in the Under Armour National Championships held Saturday through Monday at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The 18s lost all three of their matches Saturday but rallied with five straight wins, going 3-0 Sunday and 2-0 Monday.
“The girls had a rough start on Saturday for their last tourney of the season but pulled through and finished strong,” Never Say Die 18s head coach Marci Psalmonds said. “Everyone stepped it up on the last two days and especially the last match on Sunday. Ati (Patino) had an awesome defensive weekend and especially in the last game for the (bronze) championship. She was digging up everything.”
The 18s were reinforced by the addition of Moana Chamberlin, who moved up from the Never Say Die 16s club.
“Thanks to Moana from the 16s on coming last minute to help out,” Psalmonds said of Chamberlin, who finished with a tournament-total 39 kills, 32 digs and seven aces, which put her among team leaders in all three categories.
“She did an outstanding job as always,” Psalmonds said.
Added Psalmonds, “Aliyah (Valadez), my lone junior, also had some incredible saves this weekend. Her quickness was definitely needed.”
Valadez finished with 34 digs.
Among team leaders were Mati Mateer, who led the 18s in kills (46), digs (61) and aces (eights). She also had five assists and two blocks; Carly Johnson with 27 kills, 22 digs and a team-best 22 blocks; AJ Wurm with 44 digs and a team-high 72 assists; Patino with 39 digs; Aimee Schaefers with 19 digs and nine kills; and Lindee Bingham with seven kills and five blocks.
“As for my six seniors, I am really going to miss you,” Psalmonds said of Mateer, Wurm, Bingham, Johnson, Patino and Schaefers. “You all have a calm presence about you that makes things easy. Ati and Lindee I have had since you were little freshmen at Clear Lake, and I’m so proud of your resilience and competitiveness to keep pushing through. Carly has always been a light on our team ever since the day she showed up for tryouts her sophomore year (at Middletown). Your powerful hits in the middle will be missed and your always smiling face even more.
“As for the three stooges (Schaefers, Mateer and Wurm), I am so happy to have you a little longer at Mendo (College) next fall,” said Psalmonds, who is the Eagles’ assistant coach. “I have watched you grow over the years since you were babies and all three of you are true athletes that have the whole package. You’re athletic, smart and great teammates with a lot of heart.”
