Cougars Win Volleyball Title – Defeat St. Joseph in Finals

The Albany High Cougars made a clean sweep of Saint Joseph Notre Dame of Alameda Saturday night in the finals match to clinch the Tri-County Athletic League championship.

The girls' team won all three of the games: 25-21, 25-13, 25-22.

The victory in the Cougars' gym solidified the wide expectation that the squad will advance to the next level of post-season play-offs, the North Coast Section (NCS) championship. NCS coaches meet today, Sunday, to make the final determinations on competitors.

Senior Amber Erhahon led the Cougars Saturday in kills with 12, while sophomore Jasmine Assia topped the assists' column with 14, according to MaxPreps.com.

The Saint Joseph Pilot gave the Cougars a harder time in their prior match-up on Oct. 22 when they won the third of four games and came within a set point of winning the first two. The final scores in that match were 26-24, 31-29, 21-25, 25-22.

The volleyball team's victory came on the heels of Friday night's football triumph by the Cougars in a 52-0 rout of John Swett High.

Here is the Cougar Online coverage posted today, Sunday, about the match:

Volleyballers Take TCAL Title, NCS Next

BY COUGAR STAFF – NOVEMBER 10, 2013

The Albany High School Varsity Volleyball team mixed a smothering defense, strong hitting and consistent serving to defend its TCAL title Saturday night against a persistent St. Joseph – Notre Dame in three straight sets.

In their last regular season match, the Pilots were able to take a set from the Cougars, the only one AHS surrendered in TCAL play.  It was apparent that Albany learned in that encounter that St. Joe’s is a game competitor.  The Cougars maintained their focus and were never really threatened, winning 25-21, 25-13 and 25-22.

As has been the case all season, the Cougars got strong, consistent play from its seniors.  Amber Erhahon and Shannon Riggio-Kerley blasted away at the Pilots’ defense from their middle and side hitting positions.

Brooke Tannahill and Anu Munkhtur led a defense that extended itself for every possible ball.  Munkhtur and sophomore Jasmine Assia confused the Pilots all match with their serving.

There were many moments of exceptionally exciting volleyball, including long, improbable rallies and hits as loud and forceful as canon blasts.

Unfortunately, few but the most faithful Albany fans witnessed the victory.  The St. Joe’s fans were greater in number and volume than the Cougar supporters.

The Cougars will host Eureka High School in the opening round of the North Coast Section tournament, Wednesday November 13 at 7:00 p.m.