Hidalgo leads the way for GV
| Tuesday, Nov 10 2009 11:15 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Nov 10 2009 11:15 PM
At 5-foot-6, Crystal Hidalgo isn't a particularly imposing physical presence on the volleyball court.
But as the Golden Valley senior setter proved Tuesday, looks can be deceiving.
Hildalgo had 22 assists, nine digs and eight kills to lead the Bulldogs to a 25-9, 25-21, 25-14 first-round Division III volleyball playoff victory over No. 13 Highland.
"I thought we played hard, we played with our heart," Hidalgo said. "I feel like we all gave it our all."
The win was No. 3 Golden Valley's fourth this season without a loss against the Scots (5-21).
"She's just a force to be reckoned with," Golden Valley coach Jill Halling said of Hidalgo. "These teams that play against us they have to take into consideration our setter because she really rallies our team together."
The host Bulldogs (18-9) started slowly but appeared to get stronger as the match wore on.
Tied at 6-all, Kaitlin Torner served 14 straight points including four aces to help Golden Valley rebound and win the first game 25-9.
The athletic 5-foot-9 outside hitter played a solid all-around game.
She finished with a game-high eight aces to go along with five digs, four kills, and one block. "We just stepped it up," Toerner said. "We knew we had to come out give it our best and we did that. And we had fun."
Anisa Cerna had eight digs, seven kills and two aces for Highland (5-21).
The Scots rallied from 18-15 deficit tie to the second game at 21 before Alisha Toomer helped the Bulldogs regain the lead with a kill as she was falling backwards. Edithza Urias followed with a hard cross court shot and then a hard spike through two Highland defenders to help Golden Valley score the next two points en route to winning the game 25-21.
Two of the three points came on assists from Hidalgo.
"The Golden Valley setter is the one that outplayed us tonight," Scott said.
"That girl she ran the court and we tried to keep up but we just could keep up with the offense that she was putting up."
