Sports, Volleyball, Brentwood, Women, Archer

Archer Girls Volleyball Defeat Rebels With Heart

Photo by Roger Morante

Archer outside hitter Kirsten Avila gets a kill to boost the Panthers up a point to put them within three at 13-16 against CAMS during the first set Wednesday night.

Photo by Roger Morante

Archer outside hitter Maia Barnett (right) shares a happy moment with Jessica Culotti (left) after the Panthers got a kill in the first set against CAMS at Santa Monica College Wednesday night. Barnett went on to lead Archer with 15 kills in four games.

Photo by Roger Morante

Outside hitter Elle Keoghan attempts a kill against CAMS during the first set Wednesday night at Santa Monica College.

Photo by Roger Morante

Jessica Culotti of Archer serves for a point during the first set to tie the game 17-17 against CAMS at Santa Monica College Wednesday night.

Posted Oct. 17, 2012, 7:32 pm

Roger Morante / Sports Editor

Archer Volleyball (8-3) is improving week to week with their latest victory 3-1 over league rival the California Academy of Math and Science (7-4) at Santa Monica College Wednesday night in a game that showed that the Panthers are not to be underestimated.

The Panthers are now tied for first place in the Delphic League and are 4-1 after beating the Rebels in three out of four sets.

Archer Volleyball Head Coach Jonathan Lotz thought the Panthers played with "tremendous heart" fighting back from a 0-1 deficit to win 3-1.

"We feel that on any given day we can compete with any team in our division," said Lotz. "We are taking that mentality into our final two weeks of the season as we try to lock up a league title and a top seed in the CIF playoffs next month."

After losing the first game 25-22 that was initially tied 17-17 with the Rebels, the Panthers stormed back to win the next three sets 25-13, 25-15, and 25-13.

Lotz was proud of the caliber of play that came from middle blocker Maia Barnett and libero Lindsey Levesque.

"Our junior middle blocker Maia Barnett had the best game of her season and led the team with 15 kills," said Lotz. "On the defensive end, our libero Lindsey Levesque was her usual all-world self and had a jaw dropping 48 digs in the back row."

Next game for Archer is away against Calvary Chapel (8-3) today at 5:00 p.m.