Piedmont Scots 7th Grade Volleyball Team Wins Second Place at Tournament

Through tough playing, the Scots brought home the Second Place Trophy for PMS under the first year coaching of Aleesha Woodruff. The first game against Berkeley Longfellow was an exhibit of Taylor Chow's serving skills with 12 aces, and Clare Keating's multiple kills resulting in a 25-10 win. The second game against Berkeley Willard was close through the first 10 points across the teams, but Reina Lowe blasted with 9 aces and Clare Keating with 5 aces to take Piedmont to a 25-6 win. In both games, Sabrynna Vasaure and Maya Kiruluta played strong defense.

The third game started with Albany leading 7-1 as Piedmont couldn't respond to their strong serves. Piedmont responded with a number of strong serves by Kathy Caldwell and tied the game at 7-7. Although Sabrynna Vasaure contributed some great serves and bumps, the Scots saw the game slip away due to a string of Piedmont errors, final score 18-25. The loss placed Piedmont in second place in their division.

In the semifinal match against the 1st place winner of the opposing division, Piedmont tasted victory that comes with strong teamwork, 25-18, against El Sobrante, a team Piedmont lost to twice in the regular season. The Scots took a 6-point lead early in the game. El Sobrante came within 3 at 20-17, but the Scots held them off with strong defensive moves. Taylor Chow and Kathy Caldwell again served strongly, while Reina Lowe was all over the court with multiple assists, hits, kills, and sets.

In the championship game against Albany, Piedmont took the lead by 6 (11-5). Albany and Piedmont were within 1 point of each other from points 11-16. However, Albany's strong serving and hits took the game to 16-22. Piedmont found resolve and fought back under the steadfast serving of Taylor Chow with 5 aces and Maya Kiruluta's multiple kills, and lost only by 2, final score 23-25. The team came off the court feeling like winners because they never gave up.

In the last regular season game, the Scots beat Longfellow, 25-10, 25-22. Reina Lowe was on fire in the first game with 6 aces and multiple sets and passes. Nicole Cosares and Sabrynna Vasaure played strong offense with multiple kills, digs, and passes. The second game was quite different with Berkeley taking the lead up to point 21, when Piedmont finally broke past to win the game by 3. Clare Keating and Maya Kiruluta played strong defense with multiple digs and saves.

Cross Country at Rancho Laguna

Thirty-two runner represented Piedmont in a meet at Rancho Laguna in Moraga on Thursday, October 22nd. For the 6th grade girls, we had three runners compete, Madison Tenney who finished 6th, Alexandra Shoptaugh who ran 8:34 for the 1 mile course and Nicole Bilorusky who completed the race despite turning her ankle. On the 6th grade boys side, we had 9 boys competing and our first finisher was Kyle Bilorusky, closely followed by Everett Ellis and Dylan Porter. Also running in the race were Chris Baringer, Wills Bird, Liam Carrington, Josh Erkelens, Mitch Winters and Mason Willrich.

On the 7th & 8th grade boys side, preliminarily it appears that the 7th grade boys course record was broken by Thomas Horn and his time was 7:47. Jack Flynn was just a few seconds behind him and he also broke the record. Space does not permit to list all the PMS boys in the race, but I was pleased with the turnout and how well they ran despite several who were recovering from colds. For the 7th & 8th grade girls, only four girls ran in the race with Sofia Lautt leading the way in 8:34, followed by Chole Jiang and Sydney Williams. Sydney had the misfortune to turn an ankle but still gamely limped in.

For complete meet results, please go to www.pmscc.com.

7th Grade Scots Flag Football v. Stanley

On a beautiful October day, the Scots played against their rivals, the Stanley Wildcats. The game started out well for the Scots as they shot out of the gates in the first quarter with a touchdown. The touchdown was scored by Joey Moyer who rumbled forward and danced around defenders for the Scots. Stanley responded with two touchdowns of their own and at halftime the score was 13-6. In the second half, Stanley came out a new team as they rallied for two more scores against the Scots, and held Piedmont without a score. Offensive standouts for the Scots were Fiachra Collins and Chase Betta. Fiachra had an amazing block to allow Piedmont to get a large gain, and Chase Betta had spectacular catches throughout the game. Luke Smith made his presence felt on defense batting down a ball.

7th Grade Scots Volleyball Score 2 more wins bringing record to 8-3

Scots Push Past Moraga

The Piedmont Scots extended their winning season, beating Moraga 25-16. The second game was a nail-biter, tied at 11-11, but the Scots' serves moved them out front for the 25-19 win. Nicole Cosares had 6 aces, Taylor Chow had 4, and Maya Kirulutu made some powerful, offensive hits.

Piedmont Pounces on El Cerrito Panthers

The Scots displayed depth of serving strength, winning 25-21, 25-10. Leading by 9 points, the Scots had a string of errors, and the Panthers were suddenly breathing down Piedmont's neck with the score 22-21. Coach Woodruff called a timeout, the Scots returned to the court with resolve, and won by 4. Reina Lowe's five aces and Clare Keating's multiple digs, assists, and sets were notable. The second game displayed Piedmont's all around serving strength, led by Taylor Chow's five aces. Sabrina Vasares played a very strong offensive game, including a pair of aces.

Cross Country Team Returns to Action

After a break of ten days, the PMS Cross Country team returned to competition with a meet on October 15th at Prospect-Sierra School in El Cerrito. Thirty-one PMS middle schoolers ran in the meet, their second at this venue.

In the 6th grade girls race, Madison Tenney was our top finisher in 3rd place. For the 6th grade boys, our top finisher was Everett Ellis in 10th place. For the 7/8th grade girls, our first finisher was Angel Rael in 5th place, and for the 7/8th grade boys, Kevin Wu was 2nd, Matthew Gologorsky was 4th, Andrew Strauch was 6th and Thomas Horn was 7th. We are awaiting official results to confirm that Strauch has broken the PMS 7th grade course record, and will update accordingly.

The next race for the team is at Kennedy Grove on October 19, followed by a meet at Joaquin Moraga School on October 22. For more Cross Country information, please click here.

7th Grade Scots Flag Football v. Foothill

The Scots played their best game of the season beating Foothill 26-7 on the road in Walnut Creek. Piedmont used a balanced attack of run and pass. Kieren Baack threw several nice passes including TDs to his big receivers Chase Betta and Liam Schindler. Fakra Collins popped a huge TD run from fullback busting through a surprised Foothill defense on a 60 yard jaunt.

The defense was a team effort with Collins, Tyler Pribyl, Joey Moyer, Bennett Barnes, and Betta pulling several flags. Kieren made a spectacular play at D-line when he tipped the pass at the line then caught it and rumbled 50 yards for the touchdown. Tucker Johnson and Jeevan Rajaratnam created pressure all day with a two-man rush. Piedmont was three plays away from a shutout, but a Foothill receiver made a great catch between three Scot defenders to put them on the board.

7th Grade Scots Flag Football Team

7th Grade Scots Volleyball - Week of Oct. 5th

Scots Whip Willard

25-11, 25-9

Making short work of it, the Scots easily pass up Willard through a string of 8 aces by Reina Lowe in the first game. Maya Kirulutu also played hard with multiple digs, assists, and kills. Nicole Cosares had 6 aces and multiple digs in the second game.

Scots Challenge El Sobrante but Lose the Set

18-25, 25-8, 10-15

While the first game was close for the first 14 points, the Scots' serving was off, losing 18 - 25. Ignoring the volume of the home crowd, Piedmont found their power and took over with an astonishing 25 - 8 win, due to a string of aces by Reina Lowe and Clare Keating. In the deciding game, Piedmont held strong until the end, but could not overcome some powerful hits and lost 10 - 15. Kathy Caldwell had several kills and Taylor Chow made some critical assists, bumps, and serves.

Scots Defeat Dorris-Eaton

25-21, 25-19

After suffering a loss to Dorris Eaton a few weeks ago, the Scots roared into action and defeated them in a very close, exciting rematch, 25 - 21. Nicole Cosares and Taylor Chow had nerves of steel with their numerous aces. The Scots took a strong lead in the second game, and warded off Eaton's challenge to win 25 - 19. Sabrina Vasaures had some great bumps, Clare Keating made some great saves, and Reina Lowe was instrumental in the win. Overall, true teamwork was evident in this display of obvious improvement in just a couple of weeks.

8th Grade Scots Volleyball v. Dorris-Eaton

10-25, 18-25, 11-15

The Scots had a tough loss against Dorris-Eaton last Thursday. Alaina Martin and Tess Reichle displayed some impressive offense, with outstanding defensive play by Natalie Phillips and digs by Sami Barney. Aces by Rachel Moes, Maddie Noonan and Madeline Turner rounded out the Scots' effort in their disappointing loss.

7th Grade Scots Volleyball - Week of Sept. 28

Scots Sweep All Three Matches this Week!

Scots Squeeze Past Stanley (Lafayette)
In a heart pounding match against Stanley, the Scots won the first game 25-17, but lost 23 - 25 in the second game. Never losing spirit, focus or resolve, they won the 3rd game 15 - 13 amidst thunderous cheering. Reina Lowe had multiple aces, Clare Keating gave numerous assists and digs, and Rachel Hodgson had an amazing save under pressure.

Scots Leap Over Longfellow (Berkeley)
Piedmont won 25-13 and 25-19 against Longfellow. Sabrina Vasaures played strong offense with numerous kills. Reina Lowe was hot with her serving and assists, Kathy Caldwell contributed multiple digs, and Maya Kirulutu had several powerful aces and digs to take Piedmont to victory.

Scots Pounce on Prospect (El Cerrito)
Piedmont won 25 - 11 and 25-17 against Prospect (El Cerrito). Taylor Chow was on fire with at least nine aces, while Nicole Cosares had numerous aces and assists. Clare Keating and Reina Lowe also served solidly and contributed many digs and assists.

8th Grade Highlanders Volleyball

Highlanders edged out by Stanley
The Highlanders came within a few points of upending Stanley – a team with experienced club players – in Lafayette on September 28 in a 25- 22, 25-23 loss.
Arielle Grozbord and Alanah Anderson helped lead Piedmont in the exciting match, and Astrid Holmes-Gallagher’s heads-up passing was key.

Highlanders beat Longfellow in 3
Playing at home, Piedmont beat Longfellow in three games in the most exciting match of the season. After losing the first game 25-9 to the bigger, taller Tigers, the Highlanders made some defensive adjustments. Aided by Sabina Addis’s serving, they won a marathon second game, 27-24, setting up a 15 point tie-breaker. The strong net play of Taylor Mopress and Miranda Wiebe led to a dramatic 15-13 victory.

PMS Hosts Meet at Temescal Regional Park

On Thursday, October 1, PMS hosted its annual meet at Temescal Regional Park. It was the largest meet in league history, with almost 300 runners participating! Despite having to put on the race in a construction zone, the parents and kids from all the schools cooperated to make it a very successful event. Once again, we fielded a complete 6th grade girls team, with Maddie Copeland leading the way in 3rd place, Madison Tenney in 11th, Alexandra Shoptaugh in 14th, Nicole Bilorusky in 21st and Megan Wilensky in 23rd. For the 6th grade boys, our top finisher was Kyle Bilorusky in 15th place. The 7th & 8th grade girls race was closely contested and several PMS runners finished high in the standings, with Anna Harleen leading the way in 3rd place, followed by Sofia Lautt 8th place, and Angel Rael 12th place in 7:49.
The 2nd to last race was the 7th grade boys and once again Piedmont had several kids in the top 12: Andrew Strauch 5th place, Thomas Horn 6th place, Miles Von Herman 11th place, and Chase Betta 12th place. The final race was the 8th grade boys and it was also a very competitive race with three PMS runners in the top 10: Kevin Wu in 5th place, Matthew Gologorsky in 7th place, and Andrew Jara in 10th place. Complete meet results can be viewed here.

8th Grade Highlanders Flag Football v. Longfellow

Highlanders 20 – Longfellow 6
The 8th grade Highlanders faced a worthy opponent on September 28th in Berkeley. Holding their own against a well-coached Longfellow football team, the Highlanders ended the first quarter behind by one touchdown. Undeterred, the team stormed back in the second quarter. Chad Finkel, Peter Lally and Matt Baringer led the offense. Lally and Finkel hooked up for an amazing touchdown, and Baringer was all over the field, constantly dodging Longfellow’s defenders. Defensive standout Danny Kolasta made an important play to keep Longfellow from scoring late in the game.

7th Grade Scots Flag Football v. Orinda Intermediate School

Piedmont 0 - Orinda 24

Joey Moyer's fifty-yard kick-off energized his teammates, but the Scots were ultimately unable to get on the scoreboard against OIS on September 29. Chase Betta provided support on offense with a fifty yard run. David Dryburgh provided the defensive highlight of the game with an interception at the goal line.