AV Girls LAX - Varsity

Amador Boys Volleyball will compete against Monte Vista on Thursday May 9th for the NCS Championship. Game time is 7:00 PM at Monte Vista.

Please come down and support our boys as they play the number 1 seed. On Tuesday Heritage had a huge showing of parents and students in our gym. Come support Amador and Boys Volleyball.

Boys’ Tennis just defeated Richmond High 7-0 in the first round of the NCS playoffs!
They will play again on Thursday, May 9th, 3:30pm at Amador, opponent TBD.

Come cheer them on and watch some great tennis!

Senior night and cross-town rivalry all in one night. This was probably one of the most exciting nights of Amador lacrosse this season. It was a merry and joyful week of practice. The players had some portions of their practice week a little more relaxed than usual. Don’t get me wrong, they worked hard but did it with school spirit and fun. The team was split into the purple and gold squads as they competed throughout the week to accomplish real drills or fun games. Both sides came out as winners, well prepared to battle the Foothill Falcons. The Dons needed to be well prepared. Last year the Falcons pulled off an incredible overtime upset of the Dons. This year Amador was looking for a strong finish to their season with a victory against Foothill

Senior night would take precedence as the teams and fans gave tribute to multiple seniors. For Amador Isa Clark, Samantha Nimmo, and Blake Guidice were honored for their excellent participation in Varsity Lacrosse. All three seniors have made enormous contributions throughout the season. Clark and Nimmo were also team co-captains along with Bella Mayo and Sophia Shiblaq this season. We wish our seniors continued success as they move on to college.

The game could not have started any better. The opening draw saw Amador run away with the ball. Isa Clark would strike first on a strong drive that finished with a swift and powerful goal. Foothill’s first attack would result in a defender’s stick deflection and save by Blake Guidice to reject the Falcons advance. The defense would assist in creating a smooth transition that ended on a free position goal by Samantha Nimmo. Three plays capped by strong performances, by each senior. The coaches pumped up the sideline by highlighting the great start their seniors were having. Foothill would quickly get back to the penalty line as the referees moved to calling shooting space further out than had been seen all year. The Dons defense would get another shot deflection. Unfortunately, Foothill would recover and return to the line on a sphere violation. This time the Falcons would score, 2-1. To be fair, the hair trigger shooting space calls were being whistled on both teams. The biggest negative to this style of officiating would be to create a choppy and less flowing match. Foothill’s premier goalie would remind the Don’s that no ordinary shot would get past her. A weaker than normal, telegraphed shot would be deflected and picked up by the Falcons. A bad transition pass would sail out of bounds giving the Dons another opportunity. Mady Sweeney would charge out of the left wing and down the center for goal. Marley “the vacuum” Diligent would run out of the draw and pick up shooting space. Her high-speed penalty shot would extend Amador to 4-1. Despite winning the draw the Dons would surrender a charge by backing up between two Falcons. The turnover would result in another shooting space call as the Don defender failed to step forward toward the ball. The Falcons would not miss. The Amador starting defense of Grace French, Alexis Bayani, Kiki Sweeney, and Erika Haley would help the midfielders hold back another Falcon strike. Diligent would come away with an out of bounds turnover but the transition, would ever so slightly, step out of bounds under Falcon pressure. Foothill’s probing offense would be rejected again, and the Dons would cleanly transition. Mady Sweeney would sneak into the 8 meter and receive a clean pass, spin, and finish strong for goal. Amador defense would do their best to slide and matchup. Unfortunately, the Falcons would curl from the baseline, and no help came, giving the driver a clear shot for goal, 5-3. Foothill has had a tremendous season with goals coming from multiple players and an elite goalie to prop up their defense. The Falcons would not let this game run away easily. The Dons thought they could get cute and lob a ball over the Falcon goalie but were easily denied. Midfield transition defense would retake the ball. The Dons would go into their patient cycling offense. Ultimately, getting another strong finish to force a Falcon timeout. Out of the timeout the Dons would go to work again, and Bella Mayo would draw a shooting space violation. This time she would send another high-speed shot into the net, 7-3. Foothill would execute their own offense and fake an underneath curl against the low post defender. Weakside Amador help would go low, and the Falcon would instead fly high and beat both defenders to get a clear path and shot at goal. Foothill would keep it close at 7-4. Kalena Johnson would respond quickly by taking the draw down the center swerving for an open shot. The Dons would breakup a Falcon pass but the ball would be dropped in the midfield. Amador would shift to prevent the fast break. Blake Guidice would notch another save on goal and outlet clean. Another frustrating turnover would stack the pressure on the Amador defense. Kaitlyn Sweeney would deny the fast break by giving ground cleanly and force the Falcons into a set offense. Amador would jump into a double team but get burned on a perfect outlet. The ball would be caught and a strong drive on goal would finish with the ball inside the net, 8-5. Amador’s next shot would sail high over goal and be intercepted by the Falcon defense. Sloppy midfield handling by both teams would result in several back and forth runs. Amador would surrender a push to a Falcon driver resulting in another free position shot goal. Amador was again feeling defensive pressure but this time a turnover would be forced. Grace French would drive to the 40 but be cut off by Falcon pressure. She would turn and pass back to Alexis Bayani who would send a pin point 35 yard pass to an open Bella Mayo. Mayo would take the rock and drive right to goal to get the Dons back on track. Defense would give up a push call in the closing seconds, a near disastrous mistake. The shot would sail wide and out, essentially ending the half. Despite holding the lead, nothing felt comfortable about the three goal advantage going into halftime. The adjustment to the shooting space calls were still not fully executed by the defense.

Out of the half both teams were playing for school pride and battling strong for the draw. Marley Diligent would come away from the circle like a bolt of lighting and get a high stick while driving. Her free position penalty shot would be good. Foothill would answer by drawing another shooting space violation and converting. Amador would run another set play with a runner rolling from X and breaking through defenders taking a strong shot on goal, 11-7. Amador kept dominating the draw and started to cycle. The movement would stretch the defense and allow Isa Clark a drive opportunity from the top of the 8 meter. She would swerve past her defender while switching stick hands to prevent checks. Her move would pay off and give her a good look at goal. Her speedy shot would sail in clean. Clark would come right back at the Falcons and earn another trip to the penalty line. She would send a strong windup whistling past the tough Falcon goalie, 13-7. The Amador defense put the Falcons back on the line with a sloppy push from behind. The initial drive would be reset due to a shooting space. The second free position attempt would halt the Amador run, 13-8. The next defensive sequence would see the Dons earning their money. The first Falcon shot would hit the pipe. The second shot would be deflected by Blake Guidice but still recovered by Foothill. Another Shot would sail high over the goal. The defense would force the ball loose temporarily. The Falcons next pass to cutter would be intercepted by a flashing Grace French and the transition would be on. Catherine Murphy would send a speedy assist from the right wing into Lily Manos curling at the top of the 8. Manos would catch, turn inward, and fire for goal 14-8. Foothill would be forced into another timeout. Out of the break Catherine Murphy looked at a strong shot lane but would be deflected away. Kalena Johnson would find Diligent, who would slide inside past her defender for a feint and shot for goal. Foothill’s offense would be broken up and the ball loose. Alexis Bayani would send the ball quickly forward to Diligent, to Nimmo, to Mady Sweeney who would finish the break to give Amador their biggest lead at 16-9. The defense was working very hard to deny Foothill any hope. Foothill began their attack from the right baseline and drove hard. Grace French would bring quick weakside help, but her attempt to change direction with the ball saw her go to the ground. Foothill would score once past French. Play would be halted after the goal was awarded as Grace remained laying motionless on the ground. It was a gut wrenching to witness and many had their suspicions as to what happened. It was a noncontact change of direction and the player’s pain could be heard from the stands. An official’s timeout was called so that French could be attended to. Eventually she would be carted off the field but not without a heavy heart spread throughout the stadium. Out of the draw the Dons would get back on attack. Mayo would swerve into shooting position but be walled off. She would take a low brush shot to get by her wall and score. Lily Manos would score in the next sequence giving the Dons a commanding 18-10 lead. Foothill would get possession off a charge call and go on a fast break. Maddie Riddle and Kiki Sweeney would neutralize the break, but another push penalty would give the Falcons their last goal. Amador would go into a stall but take a last-minute shot that gave Foothill a chance to transition. The outlet pass would be deflected by a diving and outstretched Isa Clark. The spectacular play would hand Amador the rock. Amador would play keep away until the final seconds when Diligent would run for the net and put in a final goal. The Dons would win the rivalry and secure a strong seed going into NCS. Unfortunately, all Lady Dons were thinking of their injured teammate and friend.

Amador will begin their quest for NCS champion on Tuesday May 7th at 7pm at Don’s stadium. Their first opponent will be against Las Lomas. Las Lomas’ last appearance in NCS was in 2016 as the 13 seed. Amador have their goals set squarely on making it to the championship game.

by Jacob Bayani

This camp is for girls all skill levels and is designed to teach the game of volleyball, focusing on individual player development. All aspects of the game will be taught by experienced coaches who are passionate about the game of volleyball. We will focus on technique, skill development and individual self-confidence. We will provide a positive environment so each camper will gain confidence as a volleyball player while improving their physical skills.

Lead Coach: Prima Glorioso (Varsity Head Coach Amador Valley High School)
Assistant Coach: Joe Linney (Junior Varsity Head Coach Amador Valley High School)

Amador Volleyball Camp: (OPEN TO ALL)
Location: Amador Valley High School

This is a fundraiser for Amador Valley High School Girls Volleyball Program.

Middle School Age: Current 5th-7th Grade
$150 Mon-Thurs
Dates: July 29- Aug 1
Time: 12:00 – 2:00pm

$150 Mon-Thurs
Dates July 29 – Aug 1
Time: 12:00-2:00pm

Returning High School Players:
$150 Mon-Thurs
Dates July 29 – Aug 1
Time 9:00-11:00am

To Register: Please email teribanholzer@msn.com with your players’ name, age, grade and which session she will be attending.

To pay: Please go to AVHS Future Fund account at – https://amador.futurefund.com/store/campaigns/10766

Fee increases to $175 if payment is made after July 1, 2019.

If you have questions, please feel free to call (925)918-2727.

Fall Sports Information Night

• Cross Country
• Football
• Girls Golf
• Girls Tennis
• Girls water polo
• Boys water polo
• Girls Volleyball
• Cheer

Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm

Where: Amador main gym Important information will be shared in regards to your child’s sport and you’ll have an opportunity to meet the coaches.