Spartans advance

The 2010 World Series-champion San Francisco Giants lived by the mantra, "Giants Baseball — Torture."

For East Nicolaus High's volleyball team, a one-word credo should also suffice to describe the Spartans' journey through the CIF North Section Division V playoffs — revenge.

The Spartans will kick-start the road-to-redemption tour next week in Portola after defeating Modoc High of Alturas, 3-0, in the first round of postseason play in East Nicolaus on Tuesday.

As the No. 6 seed, East Nicolaus will have to travel three hours to face the No. 3 Tigers, who just happen to be the Spartans' biggest source of frustration this season.

Portola defeated East Nic (19-12, 6-4) in both Mid-Valley League meetings, by scores of 3-0 and 3-1, but that doesn't seem to matter much to the Spartans.

With the Spartans trailing in game 3 of their match against the Braves, coach Alecia Geach motivated her team by reminding them, "You have seven points to get to Portola!"

After coming back from a 17-11 deficit they apparently heard the message.

"We want this more than a lot of games we played," said senior captain Haley Uhland. "We know (Portola's) weaknesses and strengths so we know what we're headed toward."

And it's not just the Tigers who the Spartans have circled.

East Nicolaus' last two seasons have ended in the section championship game with losses to Hamilton High, this year's No. 1 seed in the bracket.

But after a somewhat cozy 25-14, 25-12, 25-23 victory at the friendly confines in south Sutter County, it will be all road games the rest of the way.

Coach Christopher Abruscato sees that as an advantage though. While his team had a first-round game to get the jitters out, Portola had a bye.

Also working in the Spartans' favor? They've knocked out the Tigers in the playoffs the last two seasons.

"This was good for us because it gets our blood flowing and gives us momentum," Abruscato said. "We've got a really tough road, but our girls play tough on the road and they can handle it."

If Uhland and fellow senior Emily Toledo keep things going like they did on Tuesday, the Spartans could find themselves back in Red Bluff for the title game.

In John Stockton-to-Karl Malone-type fashion, Uhland was able to set up Toledo all night against Modoc, slicing through the Braves' defense with relative ease.

Toledo hit a gaudy .870 with 20 kills against the Braves and Uhland had 24 assists and six kills of her own.

The two seniors, who are also best friends, both said they have a sixth sense when it comes to locating each other on the court.

"We just click," Toledo said. "When it comes to being on the court we're just always on top of it."

"I'm so glad to have her," Uhland added. "They call us the dynamic duo."

Superhero-like performances from Uhland, Toledo and the rest of the East Nicolaus squad will be mandatory in order to get three more wins for a banner, but Uhland said a trip to the section title game is kind of like a tradition now.

But unlike Thanksgiving dinner, revenge is a dish best served cold.

"I'm hoping we can come back and just bring it to (Portola)," Uhland said. "Sick 'em in three and get it done with."