Gladstone HS Volleyball

After last night's scrimmages, with great sadness, and with a heavy heart, I announced my retirement as Varsity volleyball coach after 25 wonderful years. I will continue as a volunteer until a new coach is hired. Last summer, Carol and I purchased a home to build in Castle Rock Colorado. We were told it could take 12 -16 months to build. When we visited the first week of May, the builder told us it would be finished in mid August. We are moving to be near our daughter, Sara, who lives in Englewood CO. We will be near our nephew Tim Weil's family in Broomfield CO and our cousin Burton Hands' family in Colorado Springs. James aged out of his school program in November and we believe that adult services for him will be better in CO. We have been planning to retire to CO since 2006 and now it is finally happening.

First scrimmages with the 2019 Gladstone Varsity last night. Gladstone d. Rowland 25 - 21, 25 - 16
Gladstone d. Ganesha 25 - 14, 25 - 6
Stat leaders: Yesenia Romero 12 kills and 4 aces, Sophia Tan 8 kills, Sam Flores 5 aces and 23 digs, Adriana Lopez 3 kills and 4 aces, Valeria Lopez 2 kils and 4 aces.

Today was the final SCVA club tournament for Gladstone. Our Route 66 team finished 3 - 0 today and 10 -1 overall for the season! Scores: d. Kaizen Las Vegas 25 - 18, 27 - 25; d. Beach Cities 25 - 13, 25 - 19; d. High Desert 25 - 18, 25 - 20. Stat leaders: Yesenia Romero 21 kills, 21 digs; Adriana Lopez 12 kills, 24 digs; Destiny Tapia 10 kills, 5 aces, 32 assists; Samantha Flores 45 digs; Valeria Lopez 8 aces; Vanessa Celestino 9 kills; Lizbeth Buenrostro 4 aces, 25 digs.

Results from Mandatory 2 on 3/2 (Three team pool)
Route 66 d. Los Feliz 25 - 20, 25 - 15
Route 66 d. Club Heights 25 - 10, 28 - 26
Season Record: 7 wins 1 loss
Leaders: Yesenia Romero 17 kills; Adriana Lopez 10 kills, 4 aces, 20 assists; Sam Flores 9 aces, 26 digs; Destiny Tapia 21 assists 5 kills, 3 aces; Sophia Tan 3 blocks
Final Tournament is March 31.

At today's Mandatory . 1 Tournament, Route 66 18 Black finished 2nd in our pool. Defeated PSP 2 - 0, Starlings 2 - 0, and lost to BVA 0 - 2. Leaders were: Sophia Tan - 15 kills. Sam Flores - 9 aces and 34 digs. Adriana Lopez - 10 kills, 3 aces and 29 digs. Destiny Tapia - 8 kills and 6 aces. Lizbeth Buenrostro - 7 kills. Yesenia Romero - 6 kills and 3 aces on 21 - 21 (100%) serves.

Route 66 18 Black played in our first tournament (Qualifying 3) yesterday at the ASC. Defeated OC Heat 2 - 1, Starlings Cudahy 2 - 1, and Brea 2 - 0. Great start!
Leaders: #2 Destiny Tapia - 13 aces, 13 kills, 40 assists.
#11 Vanessa Celestino - 16 Kills, 100% 24 - 24 serving with 5 aces. #24 Yesenia Romero - 16 kills. #5 Sam Flores - 58 digs and 6 aces. #18 Adriana Lopez - 32 assists, 8 kills, and 5 aces. #12 Sophia Tan - 14 kills. Freshman #31 Valeria Lopez - 6 kills and 6 aces.

Gladstone HS Volleyball Awards Banquet

C.I.F. SS Division 6 Playoff updates:
2nd Round: #6 Gladstone def. #8 Yucca Valley 28-26, 25-20, 25-20. Leaders - Laura Ponce 25 Kills, Yolanda Osuna 3 aces, Destiny Tapia 28 assists, Valeria Ramirez 20 digs.
1st Round: Gladstone d. Barstow 25-17, 25-17, 25-21
Leaders- Laura Ponce 14 kills and 4 aces, Adriana Lopez 6 kills and 20 assists, Samantha Flores 20 digs.
Quarterfinals: Wednesday, October 24, 6:00 P.M.
#1 Grace Brethren at #6 Gladstone.

Congratulations to senior Laura Ponce! She is the first Gladstone player to have over 400 kills since 1998.
On 9/26, Gladstone swept the season series with rival Azusa for the 4th year in a row. On 10/3, Gladstone lost at Duarte 0 - 3, but clinched second place in the Montview League. It is the 25th year in a row that Gladstone Varsity has qualified for the CIFSS playoffs. We are so happy to have Destiny Tapia return to play. She and Laura are the only Varsity returners from 2017.

Rivalry match on 9/10: Current Record (13-3, 1-0)
Ranked #6 in CIFSS Division 6
Gladstone d. Azusa 25 - 20, 25 - 23, 25 - 13.
Leaders: Laura Ponce 20 kills, Valeria Ramirez 7 aces, Bryana Pacheco 32 assists and 21 digs.
Next match: today at Workman 5:30 PM
Upcoming match: home vs. Duarte on Monday, 9/17, at 5:30
(Duarte is ranked #7 in CIFSS Division 6)

Today, Gladstone Varsity finished first at the Century Tournament! Defeated Saddleback 2 - 0, Los Amigos 2 - 0, Godinez 2 - 0, and Century 2 - 0. Laura Ponce was named MVP and Vanessa Celestino made the All - Tournament Team.

Varsity volleyball update: 7 wins and 2 losses. Congratulations to outside hitter Laura Ponce. She was named American Volleyball Coaches Association Player of the Week! She is leading the state of California with 136 kills (5.9 kills/set). Setter Adriana Lopez is 4th in the state with 225 assists and libero Samantha Flores is 5th in the state with 132 digs. Next match: Wednesday, August 29, 4:30 PM, at Garden Grove HS.