Agoura Spikes Depression, Closes In on Marmonte Title

THOUSAND OAKS — Agoura High’s Jenny Pavley found it sad that her school’s volleyball team did not win the Marmonte League championship in its three previous seasons.

“We have a really good school for sports,” she said. “It’s depressing that volleyball has never won it.”

Get ready to change that to “had.”

By beating Thousand Oaks, 15-7, 15-17, 15-5, 15-11, Tuesday night, Agoura virtually clinched its first Marmonte title and put an end to the Lancers’ reign of six consecutive league crowns.

The Chargers (16-1, 11-0 in league play), hold a two-match lead over Thousand Oaks (12-9, 9-2) with only three contests to play.

“They always win the league,” said Pavley, who had a match-high 32 kills. “We were not under-motivated--we were so looking forward to this match. Everyone was thinking about it.”

Agoura, ranked fifth in Southern Section Division I, has beaten Thousand Oaks twice this season.

Agoura maintained control throughout, thanks mainly to the play of Pavley and setter Tammy Barrus, who had 47 assists, as well as timely outside hitting by Blair Thomas.

“All around, I think we’re probably a better team,” Pavley said. And soon Agoura will have a league championship as proof.