Menlo News September 14, 2021

Volleyball wins Chandler Invitational

Week of Sept.13-Sept. 18, 2021

9.18.21 – The Menlo School volleyball welcomed 12 teams to the 10th Annual Chris Chandler Invitational on Saturday, and the Knights took the championship after a thrilling final match against a tough, persistent Hillsdale team Saturday.
In the final, Menlo (16-5) handed Hillsdale (12-1) its first loss, with a 25-21, 17-25, 15-7 decision. Sophomore Cleo Hardin delivered 10 kills of her 31 kills for the tournament. Senior Hanna Hoffman had four kills, eight digs and 15 assists. Junior Brooke Dombkowski added eight kills and eight digs. Seniors Simone Adam had seven kills and three blocks while Sharon Nejad had five kills, five digs and four blocks. Hillsdale seniors Jessica Dean and Victoria Vanos posted 13 and nine kills respectively.
To get to the title game. Menlo defeated Woodside, Burlingame and Gunn in straight sets.
Hoffman amassed 61 assists, 15 kills, 11 digs and five aces in nine sets. Dombkowski had 17 kills and 23 digs. Nejad finished with 26 kills while Adam had 23 kills and seven blocks, and senior Zoe Gregory contributed 56 assists. Senior Hallie MacDonald added 15 digs.
The tournament is named in honor of longtime Menlo School volleyball program supporter Chris Chandler, the husband of former Menlo School dance teacher Jan Chandler, and father of Courtney, also a Menlo dance instructor, Brittany and Tyler. Chris, along with Jan, supported Menlo volleyball,
Menlo resumes WBAL play against Notre Dame San Jose on Wednesday.

Menlo 3, Presentation 0

9.14.2021 – The Menlo volleyball team defeated Presentation 25-15, 25-21, 25-16 in a non-league match at home Tuesday.
The Knights (11-5) next open West Bay Athletic League play Thursday against Mercy-Burlingame at Serra on Thursday.
Against the Panthers, the Knights got a team-high 10 kills from senior outside hitter Simone Adam. Freshman Lily Kautai delivered eight kills and a pair of aces while junior outside hitter Brooke Dombkowski had seven kills on .700 hitting and five digs. Senior setter Zoe Gregory distributed 27 assists.
Senior Hanna Hoffman posted 18 assists and five kills and Hallie MacDonald had a team-high nine digs. Sophomore Cleo Hardin added seven kills.