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Sports Notebook: CV football locks up postseason
10/28/2015 2:58:20 PM

By Mike Vlahovich
Splash Contributor

Last year, Central Valley's football team found itself with an uncharacteristic losing record, including defeat to rival University for the first time in years.

This season, CV is back, having posted a 6-2 record headed into its home finale against the Titans, the team's spot in the playoffs already secured.

"Our first goal was to make the playoffs," coach Rick Giampietri said of ambitions going into the season. Three GSL teams advance, with numbers 1 and 2 staying home. "Just getting in is important, and it's important to get the second spot."

That spot was secured behind an offense that has done its job and a defense that has been superb. Since giving up 467 yards in the season opener, the Bears have allowed only one other team to amass more than 300 (to GSL champ Gonzaga Prep).

They lead the league in total defense, holding four other teams to an average of fewer than 160 yards per contest.

"The linebacker core and secondary have been solid, and our defensive line (led by Jordan Talafili) is having a good year," Giampietri said.

He ticked off the names of most of his defensive crew, including fellow defensive linemen Terrell Harrison, a junior, and freshman 260-pounder Wyatt Wickham.

Junior linebackers Travis Hawkins and Chase Gilbert have played well, Giampietri said, along with Adam Alvarez.

In the defensive backfield, Tanner Gummersal has been lights out.

"I don't know how the little guy gets it done, but he just makes plays," Giampietri said.

Ben Craig (highlighted by a three-interception performance against Ferris) and Christian Williams at the corners have done their job and sophomore Chase Edwards - who had a 105-yard interception return TD against Gonzaga Prep - "is a real talent."

Offensively, quarterback Tanner Sloan is second in the GSL in passing and had gone 102-for-178 for 1,185 yards heading into the final two games.

Gage Connole had rushed for 407 yards and nine touchdowns.

Back where they belong
Central Valley volleyball players successfully negotiated a three-team gauntlet that secured its second straight Greater Spokane League championship, but the first for rookie coach Laurie Quigley.

"Coming into a group of 10 seniors probably sounds daunting," she said of replacing two-time state qualifying coach Amanda Bailey, "but they have been great about buying into what we're doing. I think it helps a lot having three of four assistants back, so there are not a lot of great adjustments."

Quigley said when she arrived she had a meeting with the players and asked what they prided themselves in, what they did well and what each wanted to do to help the team get better.

"I think understanding you have 10 seniors back, we needed to meet in the middle on some things, and they've been awesome," Quigley said.

Still, there's a lot of work to be done. West Valley and Eisenhower in Yakima are ranked by coaches among the top three in state. The GSL, like last year, is a four-team minefield - CV and University are returning state teams and Mead, in particular, and Gonzaga Prep are formidable.

The Bears were beaten by Prep in a five-game non-league match and needed four games against them in the title clincher. Mead won the first two games in their match before the Bears rallied to win the final three. With three available state berths and six tough teams in the region, it's anybody's game.

CV's senior-laden team took up where it left off, led by All-GSL selections KeAnn White, the Bears top hitter, and setter Jade Rockwood. Morgan Ness, Hannah Reiman (plus junior Sydney Johnson, one of just four varsity underclass members), have been tough at the net as well and libero Meghan Rockwood anchors the back row.

Playoffs began Oct. 29.

Soccer in the mix
As young as CV's girls soccer team is, there were bound to be some bumps along the road.

But with an upset over preseason favorite Mead and win against rival University, both in shootouts, the Bears were 5-3 in the GSL (8-4 overall) and in a virtual four-way tie for third place with one match remaining.

Sophomore Kaelyn Barnes remained the team's leading scorer with 14 goals and freshman Kailyn Labrosse was up to eight as CV's main offensive threats.

Playoffs began Oct. 27.

Slowpitch softball familiar
Softball season began slowly for CV, which split its first four games, although the team did have a victory over rival University, the Titans' only loss.

But they won 14 of the final 16 games, including a streak of eight in a row, and lost to the Titans 18-16 the second time around.

The Bears finished second in the GSL with a 16-4 record.

There was a stretch of nine games in which Macie Reynolds had three or four hits in each. Jordan Schneidmiller, Hannah Anderson, Aubrey Williams and Maci Peha were others with big bats.

Tourney time for runners
Central Valley's boys and girls cross country teams will begin the race for state regional competition Oct. 31 and the state championships a week later. The Bears finished league season against Gonzaga Prep, the girls with a 6-3 record and the boys at 4-5.

Kearan Nelson and Briegen Bester have paced the veteran girls team.

Gabe Romney has led the new-look boys team this year. He and Isaac Nicholls are the only returnees from the perennial state qualifiers.

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