Tehachapi News

Starlings 16s take second at Nationals

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The Tehachapi Starlings 16s concluded a strong season with an impressive showing at the regional and national tournament, compiling a 13-4 record overall and reaching the national championship game in the silver division.

“The girls did very well and it was a very good season,” said head coach Renn Amstead. “To reach the finals at the national tournament was quite a feat and we’re very proud of the girls.”

Tehachapi steamrolled through a talented pool to clinch a championship berth with Oakland-LISA in the national finals, losing a close 26-24, 29-27 decision in the intense two-game thriller.

Overall leaders for the Starlings were Amanda Borst (37 assists and six aces), Lauren Smith (21 kills, nine aces and 15 digs), Colleen Chung (nine kills and nine digs), Danielle Coontz (23 kills and 20 blocks), Meghan Komin (30 aces, 30 kills and 16 digs), Danielle Villa (16 aces and 11 digs), Taylor Cross (16 kills and nine blocks), Carley Cass (12 aces and three digs) and Ashley Young (22 aces and 54 assists).

In a final tune-up before the national tournament, the Starlings took on regional competition and took a 7-2 record overall against state powers in Bakersfield.

Leaders in the regional tune-up were Amanda Borst (six aces, no errors and 28 assists), Meghan Komin (seven kills, six digs and nine aces), Danielle Villa (13 aces, seven kills and three digs), Lauren Smith (seven kills and four aces), Danielle Coontz (13 kills and five blocks), Taylor Cross (eight kills, seven blocks and three aces) and Carley Cass (seven aces and four digs).

The Starlings 16s finished their season with an overall 57-41 win-loss mark in games played.

“I would like to thank the parent and the players for making this a very rewarding season for me as coach,” added Amstead. “It was a great finish to a great season.”