Novice girls win Silver Division volleyball tournament

By Joe Naiman

Ramona High School’s novice girls volleyball team won the Silver Division of the Titan Invitational tournament played at the Epic Volleyball Center in Poway on Saturday.

“The girls played with great heart and character,” said Ramona novice Coach Leesa Roulier.

The tournament began with pool play. Ramona finished third in its pool after a two-game win over Mount Carmel and three-game losses to Bishop’s and Del Norte.

“Lost two very close matches just by a couple of points,” Roulier said.

The third-place pool finish placed Ramona in the Silver Division. The Bulldogs began elimination play with a 25-23 win over Escondido. An easier win over Valley Center placed Ramona into the Silver Division championship match against University City, and the Bulldogs defeated the Centurions by a 25-18 score.

“We pretty much had it in hand,” Roulier said of the final game.

Roulier and Assistant Coach Adrian Papps normally utilize a two-setter formation, in which case Alicia Podoris is the second setter. Podoris made her debut in a single-setter role during the tournament and was selected to the all-tournament team.

“She came through for the team,” Roulier said. “She did very well.”

Roulier noted that a knee injury likely kept Claire Hagan from all-tournament honors.

“My libero, Claire Hagan, also had an excellent tournament and played injured,” Roulier said.

Ramona will be the organizer of an Oct. 15 novice tournament at the Epic Volleyball Center.