Kelseyville knocks off Middletown to remain half-game out in league standings
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MIDDLETOWN >> The Kelseyville Knights began a big week with a huge victory, sweeping the Middletown Mustangs 26-24, 25-22, 25-12 in North Central League I varsity volleyball action Tuesday night in Middletown.
Locked in a tight battle for the NCL I championship, Kelseyville (7-2) kept pace with Cloverdale (8-2) atop the league standings. If the Knights beat another title contender, St. Helena (6-3), on Thursday night in St. Helena, they will move into a tie with Cloverdale for first place. Cloverdale has a bye on Thursday.
Kelseyville won its first five league matches this year before dropping back-to-back road contests at Cloverdale and Fort Bragg to fall out of first place. The Knights were looking at another difficult road test Tuesday against a Middletown (5-4) squad that had won three straight matches by three-set sweeps, including against league-leading Cloverdale.
While her players certainly rose to the occasion, Kelseyville head coach Donelle McCallister said the Knights received a huge morale boost from members of the Knights’ football team, who showed up in force to root for their schoolmates, which they regularly do at Kelseyville’s home matches.
“Our boys showed up to cheer on the team,” McCallister said. “They are such a great group of kids.”
Middletown made Kelseyville work for every single point in the first two sets, according to McCallister.
“Middletown still has a powerful attack,” McCallister said. “I think the girls stepped up their defense and wouldn’t let balls hit the floor.”
Kelseyville’s passing also made a big difference, according to McCallister.
“The passing was strong thanks to Cali Schnabl, Bella Patti and Olivia Hommer,” McCallister said. “This made things a little easier on our setters.”
Passing was strong thanks to Cali Schnabl, Bella Patti and Olivia Hommer. This made things a little easier on our setters.”
McCallister also praised the play of freshman setter Riley Hanson.
“Riley Hanson continued to set for us but also played a great game at the net on the right side,” McCallister said.
Nyejzniya Krohn’s six kills and two blocks, and seven kills apiece from Hommer and Briana Davis led the Knights at the net. Hanson and Ashlyn Klein finished with 12 assists apiece while Schnabl and Patti collected 15 and 14 digs, respectively.
The loss was the first for Middletown head coach Erika Galvan since taking over the team late last month following the resignation of former head coach Norberto Quiroz.
“The girls were right there until the third set,” Galvan said. “We had long rallies happening, and we just ran out of steam.”
Junior varsity
In junior varsity action, Kelseyville remained undefeated in league play, improving to 9-0 with a come-from-behind 21-25, 25-11, 15-9 win over Middletown (6-3).
Grace Hobbs led the Knights with eight kills, Brooklyn Young finished with 10 assists and Aubree Sperber had two aces.
“The girls played a little tentative in the first set and then came on strong the rest of the match,” McCallister said.
“We couldn’t keep a run like we did in the first set,” Galvan added.
Middletown individual statistics were not available.
While Kelseyville’s teams head to St. Helena on Thursday, Middletown’s teams are home to face Lower Lake. JV action at both locations begins at 5 p.m.
