A few weeks ago, in the Moore League opener, a young Wilson Bruins team battled Lakewood to a fifth set in the Lancers’ gym.  It was a sign of the Bruins’ potential—but that fifth set wasn’t, as Lakewood steamrolled them to victory.  On Saturday afternoon, that same Bruins team looked a lot older, as they once again battled with a top CIF team, this time the Los Al Griffins, and forced a fifth set.  This time, however, they did the steamrolling in the final frame, getting a huge win, 25-19, 22-25, 22-25, 25-16, 15-10. 

“It was amazing,” said sophomore Rebecca Strehlow.  “We just didn’t want to lose the fifth set [like we did] against Lakewood.  This is a team that knows how to keep fighting.”

Strehlow, maybe the craftiest player in SoCal, continued to utilize dump shots and off-speed balls to flummox her opponent, keying a tone-setting first frame win.  Wilson started to look hesitant in the next two sets, allowing Los Al to gain the advantage.  “We definitely tightened up,” said Wilson coach Susan Pescar.  “I said after the third set, we need to start making plays or I’ll have to start making substitutions.  And they responded, we didn’t look cautious or careful in the last two.”  No kidding—against a premier team, the Bruins closed the match out 45-26.

Strehlow filled the stat box, leading the way with 16 assists, 26 kills, 3 blocks, and an ace.  Co-captains Kellie Culbertson (12 kills, and a block) and Kellie Woolever (31 assists, 10 kills, 3 blocks and 2 aces) were also major contributors for the Bruins, who will next face Poly on Tuesday.