The Pioneers lost their final three matches on the road to Dominican University (15-25, 16-25, 14-25), Holy Names University (17-25, 14-25, 13-25), and Mills College (12-25, 15-25, 10-25). This ends what was a rough season for the Pioneers and their coach, Eli Cuenca, as they went 0-20 overall, and 0-14 in the Cal Pac.

Season stat leaders were sophomore Heather Jacobson and senior Alisa Jacobo. Jacobson led in kills (122), aces (21), and blocks (34). Jacobo led in assists (243), and digs (107).

Additionally, Jo Ann Mauries had 66 kills, and Janae Hellie had 55. Cari Cordis had 13 aces, with Mollie Helton adding 85 digs.

With only two players graduating this year (Alisa Jacobo and Sara Richards), it will be interesting to see how Coach Cuenca will reshape the Pioneers for the 2009 season.

Angwin, CA – The Pioneers lost to the Red Hawks of Simpson University last Saturday night, October 25, in their final home match of the 2008 season. Although the scores were much improved from their first meeting on the Red Hawks home court (14-25, 13-25, 12-25), the Pioneers again lost all three games 18-25, 14-25, 14-25.

Middle hitter Heather Jacobson scored her second highest number of kills against Simpson, pounding down a hefty 11 kills, with only 2 errors, and a total of 29 attempts. Jacobson also had one ace and two blocks. Jo Ann Mauries had nine kills in 26 attempts. The Pioneers finished with 90 attack attempts that resulted in 23 kills. Freshman Molli Helton played an incredible defensive game with a total of 13 digs. On the whole, the team had 52 digs and only 8 receiving errors.

The Red Hawks were led by Nicole Eileen and Kelly Brown each finished with 10 kills. The Red Hawks had 99 attack attempts and 38 kills. Libero Teddy Sturley had 13 defensive digs, and three serving aces. In total, the team had eight serving aces, five serving errors, one receiving error, and 43 digs.

With this recent victory for Simpson University their overall season record now reads 6-16, and 5-4 in the Cal Pac. The Pioneers are now 0-17 overall, and 0-11 in the Cal Pac. The Pioneers last three games will be on the road, starting with Dominican University on November 1.

Angwin, CA – The Pioneers won their second singular game of the season against the Warriors of William Jessup University on Thursday night, October 23. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get over the hump to win the match. After four games William Jessup took the match, 25-16, 19-25, 25-22, and 26-24.

Sophomore Heather Jacobson once again led in team kills, tallying a total of nine for the match. Freshman Jo Ann Mauries was close behind her with seven, and Freshman Janae Hellie, recently off the bench due to a back injury, pounded down six kills with three aces. Defensively, Heather Jacobson had three solo blocks. As a team, the Pioneers totaled 80 digs; Freshman Molli Helton had 20 of them.

For the Warriors, Rachelle Russell led her team with 14 kills. Libero Corissa Jacomini scored six of the team’s 16 aces, and received 27 of the team’s 71 total digs.

This victory places the Warriors season record at 3-16 overall, and 3-7 in the Cal Pac. The Pioneers are 0-16 overall, and 0-10 in the Cal Pac. Their next and final home game is this Saturday night, October 25, at 7:30 p.m.

Atherton, CA – The Pioneer were again shut out on Saturday night, October 18, at Menlo College, whose team is currently undefeated in conference matches. The Pioneers once again lost three consecutive games, 13-25, 10-25, 12-25.

Sophomore Heather Jacobson and Freshman Casey Miller each scored 4 kills for the Pioneers.  Cari Cordis, Jo Ann Mauries, and Elizabeth Kubo each executed 2.  The Pioneers tallied 15 total kills , 17 errors, in 53 attempts.  Defensive play on the whole was much improved from Thursday night.  Heather Jacobson had 3 solo blocks.  The Pioneers totaled 28 digs, a vast improvement on their last several games.

Menlo totaled 26 kills, 11 errors, and 81 attempts.  Deborah Bekowies led the offense with 9 kills.  Menlo also scored 12 aces, adding 40 digs, and one block.

With this victory Menlo’s season record jumps up to 14-7 overall, and 9-0 in the Cal Pac.  The Pioneers are now 0-15 overall, and 0-9 in the Cal Pac.  The Pioneers next play at home on Thursday, October 23 at 7 p.m. against William Jessup University.  After that, their final home game will be on Saturday night, October 25, against Simpson University.

Scotts Valley, CA – It was yet another tough disappointing loss to Bethany University on Thursday, October 16.  The Pioneers just did not get out of the blocks and were ultimately defeated 13-25, 14-25, and 10-25, by the Bruins.

Freshman Jo Ann Mauries led in kills for the Pioneers, totaling 3.  Veteran Heather Jacobson had 2, as did her comrade Cari Cordis. Freshmen  Molli Helton and Elizabeth Kubo each scored 1.  The team evenly tallied 15 digs, and racked up 14 receiving errors.  Cari Cordis had two serving aces, and Alisa Jacobo scored 1.

T Crocker led the Bruins offense with an impressive 9 kills, no errors, and 18 attempts.  The Bruins scored 35 kills, 12 aces, 17 digs. 

With this most recent win, the Bruins season record rises to 4-12 overall and 3-5 in the Cal Pac.  The Pioneers continue to look for their first victory on the season dropping to 0-14 overall, and 0-8 in the conference. 

Angwin, CA – The Pioneers most recently were defeated 11-25, 7-25, and 18-25 at the hands of Holy Names University’s Hawks on Saturday, October 11.  Game two was the lowest scoring conference game of the season for t he Pioneers.

Heather Jacobson finished just below her season average, tallying only six kills in 16 attempts.  She did however have a grand total of 4 aces, 10 digs, and three blocks.  Setter Alisa Jacobo also added 12 assists and 10 digs.  Jo Ann Mauries was close behind with seven digs of her own, along with four kills. 

The Hawks were led by Michell Myers pounding down nine kills.  On the whole the Hawks scored 36 kills for the evening.  Setter Alyssa Giannuzzi had 17 assists, and back-up Natalie Kasbarian had 12.  The Hawks totaled 13 aces for the evening; Myia Frank and Ashley Nickell each had 3.

The Hawks season record now reads 8-11 overall, and 5-3 in the Cal Pac. The defeat drops the Pioneers to 0-13 overall, and 0-6 in the conference.  The Pioneers next match is on the road against Bethany University, on Thursday, October 16 at 7 p.m.   

Angwin, CA – The Pioneers lost in three games to the Cyclones of Mills College 8-25, 20-25, and 17-25, on Thursday, October 9.  After a slow start in game one, the Pioneers battled hard in games two and three, much to the surprise of the Cyclones.

Once again freshmen middle Heather Jacobson had 9 kills and one block to lead the Pioneers.  Setter Alisa Jacobo finished with 16 digs.  Jo Ann Mauries added nine digs of her own. 

For the Cyclones, Karen “Sally” Espinosa led the Cyclones with 11 kills to go along with six aces.  Libero Isidora Jimenez had 11 digs.  Loke Davis put up the only block for the Cyclones.  Setter Danielle Thurow-LaRue had 23 assists, and back up setter Jennifer Pore finished with five.

With this most recent defeat, the Pioneers season record falls to 0-12 overall, and 0-5 in the conference.  Mills College is now 4-9 overall, and 3-3 in the conference.  The Pioneers next host Holy Names University at home Saturday night, October 11 at 8:00 p.m.

Angwin, CA –  It was some of the best rallying Pioneers fans witnessed last Saturday night, October 4, under the Covered Wagon, the kind that kept them at the edge of their seats and sent goose bumps up their arms.  In game 2, the Pioneers fought back from a score of 5-20, holding the baffled Penguins while they scored 11 points.  But it was too little too late for the Pioneers and they lost the match 16-25.  Games 1 and 3 where sprinkled with a few good plays, but excellent ball coverage defensively, and exceptional ball placement offensively gave the Penguins a sure victory against the Pioneers, who lost the match 14-25, 16-25, and 12-25.

Heather Jacobson racked up nine kills in 24 attempts.  Jacobson also had the only serving ace for the Pioneeers.  Jo Ann Mauries had two blocks for the evening.  Janae Hellie and Molli Helton each had 13 digs. 

For the Penguins, Cayla Morphew had eight kills.  Teammate, Amanda Wagner, was right on her heels with seven kills.  Wagner also had five aces against the Pioneers, and Morphew had the only solo block for the Penguins.  Aly Pence popped up eight digs. 

Dominican University is now 4-1 for the Cal Pac, and 4-5 overall.  Pacific Union is now 0-5 in the Cal Pac, and 0-11 overall.  The Pioneers next take on Mills College on October 9, at 7:00 p.m., under the Covered Wagon.

San Francisco, CA – The Pioneers women's volleyball team let their nerves once again get the best of them Tuesday evening at the home court of the San Francisco State University Gators where they lost 25-9, 25-7, and 25-7. Just as it was at the Trip Sports Tournament in Las Vegas, the Pioneers downfall was a direct result of their inability to effectively pass the ball and cover the court, both as agile passers and with an efficient block. In spite of it all, the girls took their inevitable defeat in stride and kept smiles on their faces while they encouraged one another on the court, and took responsibility for their errors. The Pioneers will travel to Hayward to play CSU East Bay next Tuesday, with their tough non-conference schedule behind them. As this young Pioneers squad looks to gain experience heading into conference play next Thursday, when they play host to Menlo College.

Las Vegas, NV-    The Pioneers women's volleyball team had a tough task of opening the 2008 season on the road at the Trip Sports Las Vegas Blast Volleyball Tournament. Battling injuries and nerves the Pioneers dropped their first match to Oregon Institute of Technology, followed by two losses to Albion College (Michigan) and Huntington University (Indiana). The Pioneers faced Huntington University a second time on Saturday night in their final game of the pre-season tournament. The Pioneers lost all four matches three game to none, but with each game the Pioneers showed glimpses of what can be as this team grow and matures.

Sophomore middle hitter Heather Jacobson led the Pioneers averaging just under 2 kills per match. Freshman outsider hitter followed up with 2 kills and 1 dig for the weekend. The Pioneers struggles started and ended with their passing. They finished the weekend with 47 receiving errors. This is an area that will improve as this young team gains experience and sheds the nerves.

The Pioneers hit the floor on Wednesday, September 3, when they play host to San Francisco Academy of Art in Angwin at 7pm.

It was a hard-fought battle to the end Saturday night when the Pioneers hosted Bethany University. The two teams played it out to four games, with the Pioneers winning the second game by two (18-25, 25-19, 20-25, and 13-25). But in the end, the Bruins won the match.

Pioneers middle hitter Heather Jacobson pounded a heavy 15 kills for the night. Freshman outside hitter Janae Hellie was right behind her, hammering nine kills. Jacobson continued her domination at the net with five blocks. Jacobson and Hellie also played an impeccable defensive game in the back row; Jacobson with 10 digs, Hellie with nine. But sophomore libero, Megan Acob, led the team in digs with 11. Jo Ann Mauries and Cari Cordis each served two aces.

Bethany University, middle blocker Kaitlin Halterman led the Bruins in kills with nine. Halterman also played the best defensive game at the net for her team, racking up 2 blocks. Outside hitter Brittany Francis led the team in digs with nine.

The Pioneers hit the road for their next two matches. They will travel to Simpson on Friday afternoon, followed by a Saturday evening match at William Jessup at 8pm.

The Pioneers put up their best fight yet in their home court conference opener last Thursday night. Although they lost each game, the scores and stats greatly improved as they went up against a fellow Cal Pac team. Menlo took the match in three straight games, 25-17, 25-16, and 25-19.

All around, the Pioneers showed more aggression and excitement out on the court than they have in previous matches. Heather Jacobson led the team, racking up eight kills. She was followed closely by freshmen middle, Jo Ann Mauries and freshmen outside hitter Molli Helton who each scored six kills. Mauries continued her dominating play at the net with a total of six blocks. Megan Acob led the team in digs with a total of 12.

For Menlo, Deborah Bekowies led in both attacks and blocks with 11 kills and three solo blocks. Stephanie Williamson’s serving resulted in six aces. Libero Shelby Goldman proved to be a huge defensive asset for Menlo with a total of 19 digs. Menlo pushes their record to 6 wins and 5 losses, 1-0 in Cal Pac play.

Coach Cuenca has high hopes that his Pioneers will continue to improve their team play as the conference season is underway. The Pioneers host Bethany University this Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. under the Covered Wagon.

The women's volleyball game scheduled for this evening, against San Francisco Academy of Art has been cancelled. Due to a number of injuries plaguing the Pioneers women's volleyball team, it was decided to cancel the match as not to put the health of the student-athletes at further risk. A decision to re-schedule the match will be made at a later date.

After watching our Lady Pioneers experience consecutive losses last season and say goodbye to half their team after graduation, some Pioneer fans may have pictured a bleak future for the 2008 Women's Volleyball team. However, the team, along with their new coach, Eli Cuenca, would strongly disagree with such a prediction.

"I believe this volleyball team will surprise our conference and our school's program," Coach Cuenca said after spending several days with the team last spring. He views this season as a foundational building year that will certainly lead this young team to championship opportunities in seasons to come. His plan is to devoutly focus on improving their team chemistry, skill, and knowledge in order for the girls to better play and understand their sport. Coach Cuenca has no doubts as to where this season will lead them. "We are Pioneers," he explained. "And last I checked, that is what Pioneers do. [Pioneers] create the path leading to success."

Putting Coach Cuenca's plans and instructions into action will be a stellar new roster of both new talent and returning veterans. It is true that fresh meat seems to be the bulk of the menu on the team roster this season. But Pioneer fans should not be quick to gauge their ability based on the term "freshman". These girls are ready for action and are fully committed to the achievement of success. First year player Janae Hellie is more than ready to get the season started. "As a new player this season, I am most excited for the opportunity to continue pursuing my love of volleyball with a knowledgeable and dedicated coach, and encouraging teammates," she said. "I look forward to every drop of sweat and sore muscle I will have in the hope of becoming a positive addition to Pacific Union College's volleyball program." When asked what her personal goals were for the season, Hellie responded, "To work my hardest at becoming a respected volleyball player who my team and coach can depend on to consistently deliver regardless of circumstances." Hellie is accustomed to delivering. After her sophomore year at PUC Prep, she received an All-Napa County Honorable Mention, the following year she was named to the Second All-Napa County Team, and was a First All-Napa County selection after a 23-4 season, leading her team to the Division V playoffs. It's onward and upward for this dedicated player as she brings her determination and talent to the Pioneers women's volleyball team.

Despite the appearance of many new names on the team roster this season, the Pioneers are not without their veterans. Alisa Jacobo, on the eve of her third year donning the green jersey, is equally excited for the season. "Our coach is bringing experience, high expectations, and a lot of much needed intensity. It will be awesome to see what that combination along with young, dedicated, and motivated athletes will achieve this season," she explained. In addition to enjoying her teammates and the sport of volleyball this season, Jacobo plans to "work hard every practice, all practice long, lead the team in aces, and average 25 assists per game." With goals such as these, Jacobo sets the bar high for herself in hopes that her teammates will do the same. Her high energy and dedicated mindset to the sport of volleyball will be a valuable asset as the season progresses in the weeks to come when the girls begin training together and head to the Trip Sports Las Vegas Blast Tournament on Friday, August 29 to open the 2008 season.

With a roster full of determination, that mirrors that of their first year coach, the Pioneers are sure to meet with success. This Pioneers team will look to arm themselves with a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to excellence, as they head into the 2008 season…and beyond.