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Cougars see woes continue to grow
Volleyball: Glendale Adventist Academy suffers 25-8, 25-14, 25-16 Westside League home loss.
By Charles Rich
NORTHEAST GLENDALE — For the members of the Glendale Adventist Academy boys’ volleyball team to taste success, there must be less individualism.
That was the brunt of the message delivered by Coach Ken Vigilia and sophomore middle blocker Finster Paul after the Cougars suffered a 25-8, 25-14, 25-16 Westside League loss to visiting West Valley Christian on Tuesday afternoon.
Glendale Adventist Academy (5-9, 4-6 in league) spent about 10 minutes in a room above the school’s gymnasium after West Valley Christian (9-2, 8-2) completed its sweep in 57 minutes. Last year, the Cougars went undefeated in league to capture the title before advancing to the CIF Southern Section Division V playoffs.
It became more unlikely Tuesday that the Cougars will win the league title and participate in the postseason next month.
“Right now, we are just all trying to unite,” said Paul, who finished with a team-high seven kills. “We are playing as individuals, and we are more stubborn.
“Last year, we kept our heads up. Once we get past being stubborn, we can be a good team.”
Vigilia, a former Glendale Adventist volleyball player, offered a similar observation concerning the Cougars, who didn’t own a lead until the early part of the third game.
“We are still trying to get our team used to each other, and there’s a lack of communication and passion,” Vigilia said. “It’s hard to say that, but I had to tell them.
“In the first couple of games [Tuesday], we didn’t have the energy to match [West Valley Christian]. That’s because they came out as individuals.”
The Falcons had no such trouble playing like a team. They turned to middle blocker Erich Hoefke, who contributed a team-best nine kills and 12 blocks in the first of two meetings this season against the Cougars.
West Valley Christian used an 8-0 run to build a 16-4 lead in the first game. Alex Fuhr highlighted the spurt with three aces to further frustrate Glendale Adventist.
In the second game, West Valley Christian’s hitters got on a roll, Argenis Hernandez and Eric Luypen had a pair of kills each to spark the Falcons to a 16-7 lead.
Glendale Adventist showed slight improvement in the third game, as it raced to a 3-0 lead on the second of two aces by sophomore outside hitter Eshban Lee. However, the Falcons used a 6-0 run to grab an 11-8 lead.
The Cougars never could catch the Falcons.
“In the third game, I thought we came out with more intensity,” Vigilia said. “Hopefully, we can keep learning.
“We have a lot of first-year players and sometimes I need to remind myself of that. I’m still trying to figure out our team.”
Glendale Adventist, which received six kills from junior outside hitter Stewart Budge, collected four aces.
The teams will meet again at 4 p.m. May 1 at West Valley Christian in West Hills.
CHARLES RICH covers sports. He can be reached at (818) 637-3228 or charles.rich@latimes.com.
That was the brunt of the message delivered by Coach Ken Vigilia and sophomore middle blocker Finster Paul after the Cougars suffered a 25-8, 25-14, 25-16 Westside League loss to visiting West Valley Christian on Tuesday afternoon.
Glendale Adventist Academy (5-9, 4-6 in league) spent about 10 minutes in a room above the school’s gymnasium after West Valley Christian (9-2, 8-2) completed its sweep in 57 minutes. Last year, the Cougars went undefeated in league to capture the title before advancing to the CIF Southern Section Division V playoffs.
It became more unlikely Tuesday that the Cougars will win the league title and participate in the postseason next month.
“Right now, we are just all trying to unite,” said Paul, who finished with a team-high seven kills. “We are playing as individuals, and we are more stubborn.
“Last year, we kept our heads up. Once we get past being stubborn, we can be a good team.”
Vigilia, a former Glendale Adventist volleyball player, offered a similar observation concerning the Cougars, who didn’t own a lead until the early part of the third game.
“We are still trying to get our team used to each other, and there’s a lack of communication and passion,” Vigilia said. “It’s hard to say that, but I had to tell them.
“In the first couple of games [Tuesday], we didn’t have the energy to match [West Valley Christian]. That’s because they came out as individuals.”
The Falcons had no such trouble playing like a team. They turned to middle blocker Erich Hoefke, who contributed a team-best nine kills and 12 blocks in the first of two meetings this season against the Cougars.
West Valley Christian used an 8-0 run to build a 16-4 lead in the first game. Alex Fuhr highlighted the spurt with three aces to further frustrate Glendale Adventist.
In the second game, West Valley Christian’s hitters got on a roll, Argenis Hernandez and Eric Luypen had a pair of kills each to spark the Falcons to a 16-7 lead.
Glendale Adventist showed slight improvement in the third game, as it raced to a 3-0 lead on the second of two aces by sophomore outside hitter Eshban Lee. However, the Falcons used a 6-0 run to grab an 11-8 lead.
The Cougars never could catch the Falcons.
“In the third game, I thought we came out with more intensity,” Vigilia said. “Hopefully, we can keep learning.
“We have a lot of first-year players and sometimes I need to remind myself of that. I’m still trying to figure out our team.”
Glendale Adventist, which received six kills from junior outside hitter Stewart Budge, collected four aces.
The teams will meet again at 4 p.m. May 1 at West Valley Christian in West Hills.
CHARLES RICH covers sports. He can be reached at (818) 637-3228 or charles.rich@latimes.com.
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