Cal Comes Up Short Against Foothill

Despite a tremendous effort from the Cal High men's volleyball team to make the first game in their new gym a win, the Grizzlies fell 3-1 to the Foothill Falcons on Tuesday.

The Falcons (3-0 EBAL), last season's NCS champions and so far undefeated in preseason and league, were able to pull out a victory, winning 25-15, 22-25, 25-13, 25-23.

Although the Grizzlies (1-2 EBAL) have struggled so far this season, they stepped it up to give the previous NCS champs a run for their money.

In the last game, though Cal led for a majority of the time, Foothill stayed within striking distance. After tying it up at 22 all, the Falcons then took a 23-22 lead. A controversial call by the referees increased the lead to 24-22 and gave Foothill just enough to wrest the win from the Grizzlies.

The call that caused an uproar from players, coaches, and fans alike, came after Foothill blocked an attempted spike by Cal. The ball hit the ground on Cal's side of the net, and both referees called the ball inbounds, overturning the line judge's ruling that it was out.

The Grizzly bench was infuriated, and even Foothill head coach Dusty Collins admitted that it was a surprising call.

"It looked like (the ball) was out from where we were," he said. "You feel bad that a call like that was made at such a point in the match, but it happens."

Even had the call gone the other way, Cal head coach Courtney Whitaker admitted there were other flaws in the team's performance that led to their defeat.

"I think we could have beaten them. We just made a lot of stupid mistakes," she said. "I think we still don't believe in the potential that we actually have. But when we do, it will start being a lot more fun."

Nevertheless, Cal players recognized the forward progress that the game demonstrated for the team, especially considering that their Falcon opponents have won the NCS championship three times in the last four years.

"Today was our first time playing as a true team," said senior captain Adam Slattery. "We really came together to make a good showing against Foothill."

Tuesday's match was the first sporting even to take place in the new Cal High gym, called the Event Center. With pull out bleachers on either side of a wooden playing court, eight retractable basketball hoops, two scoreboards, and ample lighting, the Event Center has been a long awaited replacement for Cal's old gym.

Construction began in July 2008 and just finished last week.

"It's a beautiful facility and it's an especially great venue for spectators," said Cal High Principal Mark Corti.

But players and coaches, not just spectators, are impressed with the Event Center. With its yellow-tinted lighting, stuffy atmosphere, and echoing interior, the old gym was notorious amongst Cal's EBAL opponents.

"I was never the biggest fan of the old gym," said Collins, who has had numerous encounters in the Cal gym in his 13 years as coach for the Falcons. "(The new gym) is certainly an improvement."

Though Whitaker said she likes the new facility, she doesn't think it provides any more or less of a home court advantage for her team.

Cal will be playing at home again on Thursday against Monte Vista, hoping to baptize the Event Center with its first win.