The Southwest Voice

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Bakersfield has developed a reputation for being a strong volleyball town. That reputation was enhanced yet again when the Stockdale Christian (SCS) Junior High Open Volleyball team won the Southern California Athletic Federation State Championship on Dec. 9.

The Stockdale Christian team played a dual schedule during the regular season and went undefeated against both private schools and city schools.  They qualified for the state tournament after winning the regional tournament held at Actis Jr.  High. They overcame stiff competition from local schools including Rosedale, Tevis, Rio Bravo Greeley, Actis, Fruitvale and others.  (Fruitvale placed second and also traveled to the state tournament, ultimately placing fourth.)

SCS traveled south to Commerce, Calif. where they competed against Division 'A' teams from several Southern California districts. They went 6-0 in pool play, earning them a spot in the semi-final bracket play. They defeated Fruitvale in yet another close match in the semi's to advance to the final match. Fruitvale exhibited great sportsmanship after suffering the close loss by cheering SCS on in the championship match. 

The championship was played against the undefeated Hawaiian Gardens team.  Stockdale Christian won in dramatic, come-from-behind fashion, in the best of a three-game series: 19-21, 21-17, 15-13.  There were several clutch performances by the girls from Bakersfield enroute to their victory. 

The SCS members are: Hannah Altman, Ashley Barton, Megan Cho, Alex Collatz, Mackenzie Carter, Laura Collignon, Sea Anna Fichtner, Sammy LaBarge, Jessica Rivera, Chelsea Sanborn, and Coach 'D' Shane Davidson.

Coach Shane Davidson has taken teams to the state tournament in the past, but this was his first team to win it all.  Four of the girls from this team played on the 2005 team that placed third at state last year. They were joined by six additional girls who all made valuable contributions to the effort. Two of the girls this year are seventh-graders who will return for SCS next year. The rest are eighth-graders.  Several of the players will start play for local volleyball clubs this month.

Tournament staff and families of other participants at the tournament commented on the sportsmanship and high level play of both teams from Bakersfield. We can all be proud of how these young ladies represented our district. We can also look forward to many of the eighth-graders joining the ranks of our talented high school volleyball teams in the coming years. 

Congatulations Stockdale Christian on a great season and a State Championship!