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Bobcats players defend the net during a Sept. 30 match against Vista. Photo by Rudy Schmoke
Bobcats players defend the net during a Sept. 30 match against Vista. Photo by Rudy Schmoke
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Bobcats rise above early doubts to lead Avocado West

In August, Sage Creek girls volleyball was the lowest-ranked Division I team in San Diego. The program was given the choice to swap out with another team and move to a lower division.

Thanks, but no thanks.

“We have a good program, and people expect us to be one of the top teams in San Diego,” said Bobcats head coach David Savage. “I wasn’t sure how the season was going to go and who was going to be here.”

For Savage, low expectations are an unfamiliar burden.

Doubling as the boys’ coach since the school first opened in 2013, Savage led the boys’ side to the 2017 CIF Division III State Championship.

“People look at us like we are supposed to be [ranked highly] up there,” he said. “It’s a compliment, but if you look at where we came from a few months ago, it’s a real tale of senior leadership.”

According to Savage, the triumvirate of senior captains Siena Schmidt [setter], Lauren Oseguera [libero,] and Juliette D’Eliseo [hitter] has been crucial for the Bobcats, now ranked 12 among San Diego D1s.

“Siena has done a great job of running our offense; Lauren anchors the backbone of our team defense and I’ve given her a lot of freedom to call the shots as far as defensive alignments; Juliette is one of the top hitters in San Diego,” Savage said.

D’Eliseo – a Cal State Monterey Bay commit – leads the team in kills per set at 4.1.

Now, with only one game left in the regular season, the Bobcats (7-2) lead the race for an Avocado West banner.

Sage Creek team captain Juliette D'Eliseo rockets a a shot through opposing blockers. D'Eliseo leads the team in kills per set (4.1) and has 41 serving aces. Courtesy photo
Sage Creek team captain Juliette D’Eliseo rockets a shot through opposing blockers. D’Eliseo leads the team in kills per set (4.1) and has 41 serving aces. Courtesy photo

“I just wanted to make sure the girls were having fun,” Savage said. “I am very happy with where we are.”

The turnaround for the 26-11 Bobcats was punctuated back in September with an upset over fifth-ranked Eastlake at the La Jolla Coastal Classic Tournament.

On Oct. 9, a brief mid-season skid was weathered with a five-set victory over crosstown rival Carlsbad on the Lancers homecourt. Bookending the current five-game win streak, another five-set victory over Mission Vista. Earlier this week, the Bobcats gained some separation from Rancho Bernardo at the top of the league standings after defeating the Broncos 3-0 on Oct. 23 in a road game.

“The girls are really vibing right now and are bought in,” Savage said. “The seniors are dialed in and getting everybody on board for our run at league and CIF.”

Overlooked in the calculus of preseason rankings, six-foot-three senior middle blocker London Evangelho, a transfer from Elkhorn South in Omaha, Neb.

“When London walked in the gym I was like ‘Wow, this is awesome,’” Savage remembered. “She is a big, strong, capable athlete. I am very happy to have her. She is a very physical dominant player but her best attribute is her attitude. She really keeps the team positive no matter what.”

Evangelho leads the team with 40 solo blocks.

Six-foot sophomore Mckenna Rauch has also chipped in, adding 35 solo blocks of her own.

“McKenna has really come through for us,” Savage said. “She was on the novice team last year and now she is a varsity starter.”

The Bobcats close the season tonight with a rematch at home against Carlsbad.

The San Diego Section playoffs open on Oct. 28 and run through Nov. 6.

“For every team it is always the story of serving and passing,” Savage said. “If we serve and pass well, we will be fine. We have a good middle; we have good hitters. It’s just a matter of making sure we stay tough defensively and stay dialed in to what has gotten us to this point – our players playing within our systems and having the freedom to get out there and perform.”

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