ANAHEIM – Foothill’s girls volleyball team, led by sophomore twins Grace and Eliza Cannon, swept 10th-ranked Esperanza, 25-21, 25-19, 27-25, in the Crestview League opener for both teams Wednesday night at Esperanza High.
Foothill’s front row hit and blocked consistently, and Coach Mark Roberts praised the play of the Cannons.
“We all played really good together,” said Grace Cannon, “like we all came together as a team, and this past week we have been taking practice really seriously and going hard and I think it showed.”
“I think we’re an equal team, but we just kicked it up another notch,” said Eliza Cannon.
In the first game, Foothill (5-6) led most of the way by three or four points. The Aztecs (14-3) started a rally toward the end of the game, but eventually were stopped by the Knights defense.
The Knights also went in front in game two. leading by as many as six points. The Aztecs eventually cut down the deficit, but Foothill eventually won the game.
The Knights seemed to be in control in the third game and going for the sweep as they piled on eight points to start. The Aztecs rallied to make it 24-24, and then 25-25. The Knights put a stop to the rally and won, 27-25.
“I think we were just tired,” said Esperanza coach Isaac Owens. “Our defense was not good, our passing was not good, and we struggled tonight.”
Esperanza went 22-11 last season and reached the quarterfinals of Division 2AA, also lost to Foothill last season.
“Last year was sloppy, they won in five games,” Owens said, “and this year was sloppy too, but they were just a little bit better.”
