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Sports

Girls Volleyball: Poway, Parker Look to New Coaches

Poway and Francis Parker have long been powerhouses in their divisions, and their close match Wednesday shows both are strong again.

It was just what you would expect from a pair of programs that are traditionally strong in girls volleyball.

When Francis Parker hosted Poway High on Wednesday, the match featured big swings of emotion and momentum. In the end it was Parker edging out the Titans in the fifth set in dramatic fashion. Game scores were 25-17, 25-17, 23-25, 23-25, 15-13.

It may play in a division with much smaller schools, but Francis Parker has dominated over the years, winning 18 CIF-San Diego Section championships, in addition to the second most California state titles, six in eight final appearances.

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The Titans on the other hand are seeking their second league championship in three years. Poway wants to turn it around in the playoffs, though, after being bounced in the semis by La Costa Canyon for the fourth straight time in last year’s Division I playoffs. The Titans, who edged LCC in five games on Monday, last won a CIF title in 2003 before La Costa Canyon started a run of seven straight championships.

“It’s a privilege to be part of such a historic tradition, we just have do our part to keep it going” said Titans first-year head coach Breezy Ambort. “We want to make it to the CIF finals this year, and hope to win league in the process. That would be a tremendous year for us."

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The Lancers (7-2), who last won a CIF crown in 2006, also have gone to a new coach this season. Luis Cuatok has taken the reins at Parker as the Lancers try to get back to the promised land of the Division IV finals.

“It’s a little nerve-racking, but I’m excited. This is a program rich in tradition and it has a lot of titles to look up to,” said Cuatok. “This year my main focus will be on (the team’s) experience, and the wins and loses will take care of themselves.”

Despite the close loss, the Titans (4-3) feel they can make another deep run in the playoffs.

“You can feel the emotions of the entire team, everyone pushes and everyone wants to win,” said Titans junior Becca Grant, who led the Titans with 18 kills. “We have a close-knit team and I know that we can beat anyone that’s put in front of us.”

After failing to put the match away in games three and four with two-point losses, the Lancers regrouped.

“Going into the fifth set, our whole team was stressed out,” said Lancers senior outside hitter Saige Gallop, who had 17 kills. “But our coach really pulled us together and we ended up coming back because of our relentless pursuit.”

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For more info on Poway High's girls volleyball program, visit the Titans website or Max preps page.

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