Napa girls romp to MEL volleyball victory

Souza helps spark Indians to big win against city rival

BY MARTY JAMES
Executive Sports Editor

Tatum Souza, a Napa High School outside hitter, asked coach Scott Kostecka and his assistants if they could stick around after a couple of practices late last week.

Souza wanted to get in some additional work on her hitting and transitioning on serve-receive. She was concerned with her play — in particular the amount of hitting errors — and wanted to try and rectify her game.

“She’s a great kid and she wants to get better,” said Kostecka. “Tatum’s a really gifted athlete.

“I think it was just a mental thing. She was in a little funk. We cleaned it up and simplified what she’s trying to do — jump high, swing hard.”

That’s exactly what Souza, the Newcomer of the Year on the 2007 All-Napa County Volleyball Team, did in Monday night’s match against Vintage in Messner Gym. She put on a clinic in Game 2 with kill after kill, missile-like shots that found the floor as Napa established control of the rivalry match.

Souza’s 13 kills, 11 digs and two service aces were key in Napa’s 3-0 sweep of Vintage. The set scores were 25-18, 25-20, 25-19.

“I think my team really got to me, because they told me they were going to be there for me no matter what, and told me to just keep swinging away,” said Souza, a First-Team All-MEL player last year. “They just believed in me. I feel a lot better.

“My team did a really great job and they were just all really there for each other. We all have a good time together and we all push each other. If we can believe in ourselves and if we can just keep working hard in practice like we are, then we’ll keep going as far as we can.”

The win keeps Napa (14-0 overall, 10-0 MEL) undefeated in league.

The Indians trailed 9-7 early on in Game 1, but went on a 5-0 run to lead 12-9. Vintage scored four straight points and was behind only 17-16.

Napa put it away with a four-point stretch to lead 21-16.

“It was a really good team effort,” said Kostecka. “Everybody got on the court. Everybody contributed. They did a really good job out there today. We’re not dominated by any one person. Everybody pulls together and we work hard in practice, and it shows off in something like this.”

Souza’s emphatic kill ended Game 2, and capped a series of hard shots across the net by the talented a 5-foot-9 junior.

“You’ve got to give that kid credit,” said Kostecka.

Napa showed great balance and depth throughout its lineup with solid all-around play.

The Indians came back from a 16-10 deficit in Game 2, scoring five straight points. But the game was tied 18-all and Vintage was down only a point at 21-20.

“We had the momentum and we were even leading the match early on, especially throughout the second game,” said first-year Vintage coach Kate Gauger. “Napa played very well tonight against us. We didn’t give the game away by any means.

“I’m more proud of these girls than I can even say in words. They played the same from point 1 to the very last point of the match, with determination and excitement and focus. We know what we need to do to go work on. We’re a really young team that’s managing to catch up really fast. I couldn’t be happier with the level of play tonight.”

The stat sheet is filled with names and eye-catching numbers for Napa.

Maggie Wessell (nine kills, nine digs, three service aces, three assisted blocks, two solo blocks), Cassidy Wallace (12 assists), Rachel Swanson (nine assists), Shannon Oga (16 digs), Rachel Barbos (eight assists), Christina Fonville (four kills, eight digs), Briana O’Malley (two solo blocks, assisted block), J’anna Wagoner (four digs), Katie Morris (two assisted blocks, one kill), and Kaylie Martin (five kills, nine digs, solo block, assisted block, two service aces) all played well.

Napa pulled away in Game 3 and Wessell’s kill ended the match.

Vintage (8-9 overall, 7-3 MEL) was led by Marlee Davis with 10 kills and 16 digs, Alex Schafle with five kills, and Noelle Pahk with 18 assists and 12 digs.

“I’ll give Vintage credit — they played really scrappy, really together and really strong,” said Kostecka. “They definitely tested us a little bit, but I think our girls settled in and did a good job.

Davis came into the match averaging 2.8 kills and 4.5 digs per game.

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