The 2014 campaign was an outstanding season for Moorpark’s Lady Raiders but the playoff run and season was ended in the first round by Golden West.
The Golden West Rustlers swept Moorpark with ease with scores of 25-11, 25-11, 25-21.
The 19th ranked in the state Moorpark College, came into the game as serious underdogs facing a 5th ranked Golden West.
Dynamite Outsides Olivia Hoelker and Mariana Kedzia combined for an off 11 kill performance.
Gabi Nguyen led the super charged Rustler offense with 14 kills and tagged on 8 digs. Three other Rustlers followed with at least 8 kills to power over Moorpark. While Melissa Brueckner led Moorpark with 8 kills, her fourth fewest in a game all season.
“As a unit something felt a little off,” Brueckner said. “We couldn’t seem to get any momentum going for us. But going into the third game we knew that if we wanted any chance, now would be the time.”
The Lady Raiders got into a rhythm and jumped on a relaxed Golden West squad but fell in a tight third set to end the game.
It was a bumpy ride for the Lady Raiders heading to Huntington due to a three hour holiday traffic delay. Thus causing a handful of players to surcom to carsickness.
Setter Noelle Chodak was pulled after the first set due to sickness. But after another setter going down Moorpark was ready as third string setter Cassidy Simental entered the game and finished 5 digs with 13 assists to a struggling and ill Raider offense.
“Cassidy was definitely the person for the job that day,” said carsick Chodak. “She played very well!”
Kendall Jacobsen and Mariana Kedzia finished strong but still short on the defensive end both leading the team with 13 digs.
This was the final game for the Moorpark Lady Raider’s sophomores ‘Great 8’ ending their Moorpark careers with a playoff berth and coming up just short of a WSC North title.
It was a season of success for the Lady Raiders. Moorpark finished with a 9-3 Conference record and 12-11 overall record.
Outside hitter Olivia Hoelker and middle blocker Melissa Brueckner were named to the 2014 All-WSC First team. MelB led the squad with kills, blocks and in hitting percentage. While punishing hitting Hoelker followed second on the team in hitting percentage, and is third on the squad in total kills. Hoelker missed handful of games with injuries.
Moorpark fans now look to next season with much anticipation and hope. After a strong conference finish and a playoff berth next season looks promising. The Lady Raiders have six freshmen most likely set to return to the squad and add an edge to the Lady Raider team. As the ‘Great 8’ moves on with their respective volleyball careers, the ‘Superior 6’ will take this team over.
“We’ll have great players coming in,” said Chodak. ” And the players who are staying (The Superior 6) are all amazing.”
