MORGAN HILL -- Live Oak coach Laura Coleman gave her volleyball team the best news it could hear after Thursday's deflating loss to Westmont.
The game didn't matter. As a result of Tuesday's upset win over Evergreen Valley, the Lady Acorns were already guaranteed to make the cut for the Central Coast Section playoffs, having placed in the top four of the Mount Hamilton Division.
Coleman wanted her Acorns to stay sharp for their regular-season finale. Hence, she didn't break the news until the unsettling sweep -- 25-14, 25-13, 26-24 -- was over.
"It got their confidence back up," she said. "They didn't play very well, but they're excited now. They're going to find out just how special making the playoffs is. It takes a lot of hard work."
Coleman has seen exactly that from her young team this year. The Acorns (15-14 overall, 8-6 league) have complemented their strong hitting with the same level of defensive play that anchored the program during its boom years under Coleman.
"Everything's really consistent now," she said. "The girls know they can win games. They're going for balls they probably wouldn't have last season. It's nice that the light bulbs are finally coming on."
Seeded No. 10 in the Division III tournament, Live Oak will play its first postseason game in three years on the road at 7 p.m. Wednesday against Belmont's Notre Dame of the West Catholic Athletic League. The winner advances to a quarterfinal Saturday against No. 2 Saratoga.
The Acorns lost to the No. 7-seeded Tigers (16-21) in tournament play earlier this year.
"We're happy with the draw we got," Coleman said. "Beating them is do-able. It'd be an upset, but we can do it."
Scott J. Adams Scott J. Adams covers Morgan Hill sports for South Valley Newspapers. Send him an email or call him at 779-4106.
POST A COMMENT
If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate.
Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form.
