Holly Court Highlights Big Week for St. Francis volleyball

   SACRAMENTO, Calif. ““ The St. Francis volleyball program hosts the annual Holy Court matchup Wednesday as part of a week that features matches against three of the Sacramento area’s top teams. In addition to Sacramento Bee No. 1 Christian Brothers, the Troubadours travel to No. 6 Oak Ridge Tuesday and host defending state champion Granite Bay on Thursday.

   “The atmosphere is amazing,” said Head Coach Alynn Wright of Holy Court. “These girls will never play another volleyball game in high school that is anything like Holy Court. The fans, the rivalry, the cheering, the zoo ““ everything is so much fun and creates memories that they will have a lifetime.”

   No. 3 ranked St. Francis opens its home schedule Wednesday against Christian Brothers. The Troubadours posted a 3-0 victory on the road last season. The freshmen team opens their season at 4:30 p.m., followed by the junior varsity game at 5:30 p.m. The varsity game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

   “It means everything,” said senior Ashley Sutter. “I have been waiting since freshmen year to play in Holy Court. “It is really special to our school and gets the whole school going.”

   The game is SOLD OUT as of Monday but additional tickets may become available on Tuesday based on any returned tickets. Tickets are not expected to be available at the game. Fans must have purchased tickets online and will be required to show their tickets at the gate.

   St. Francis opened the season at the High Sierra Invitational over the weekend. The Troubadours went 7-1 overall and lost in the semifinals.

   “Coming off the two-day tournament, they have to really dig deep,” said Alynn Wright. “All three of the teams we are playing this week are top 10 teams in the area. They are very, very strong and well-coached teams. We are going to have to play smart and fight and claw for each point.”

   The Troubadours face Oak Ridge in their Foundation game Tuesday night at 7 p.m. before hosting Christian Brothers and Granite Bay. It is a test Wright said will be battle on every point in each contest.

   “We have to work on our consistency,” said Wright. “We can be very strong and very good. We just have to play more consistent and defensive minded. If they do that, we play very good.”

   Christian Brothers won the Division III section title last season and lost in the Nor Cal semifinals.

   “They return a lot, they are strong and well coached,” said Wright of Christian Brothers. “Their setter is very good. It is going to be a battle. It will not be easy for either team. The team that makes the fewest errors and plays within themselves without getting too emotional is the team that is going to win.”

   No matter the outcome Wednesday, it will be a memorable matchup.

   “It is always the game they look forward to the most from the time they are grade school until they get here in the jerseys,” said Wright.