Knights sweep Mustangs to remain undefeated atop league standings
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UPPER LAKE >> The Cougars obviously Dig Pink.
Decked out in their special pink uniforms in support of breast cancer awareness, Upper Lake’s varsity volleyball players posted their third straight North Central League I match Tuesday night, taking down the Clear Lake Cardinals in a competitive three-set match, 25-17, 25-22, 25-21.
As they did Thursday in a three-set victory at home against Fort Bragg, Upper Lake (4-5) avenged a loss to a team it had fallen to in the first round of league play.
“Tonight’s Dig Pink game was one for the books,” Upper Lake head coach Dani Paige Gudmundson said. “The gym was completely covered in pink, and the energy from both teams and our fans was incredible. Our program put together breast cancer awareness goodies for both teams, which made the night even more special and meaningful.”
Clear Lake (2-7) didn’t go quietly, according to Gudmundson.
“Clear Lake came ready to play, and it was a battle from the first serve to the final point,” Gudmundson said. “We had some great rallies. It was point for point most of the night. They’d get ahead, we’d fight right back, and the crowd was into every minute of it. Even though the match ended in three (sets), they were all close games.”
“We had moments where we showed what we’re capable of,” Clear Lake head coach Izzy Bonilla said. “Strong plays, good communication and solid effort. Unfortunately, we didn’t stay consistent when it mattered most.”
Camila Martin had a strong overall night for the Cougars with 16 assists, seven service points, six digs and three kills, as did Alyssa John with 13 service points, four aces, 15 digs, eight kills and three blocks. Aimee Schaefers added eight kills, six blocks, five service points, eight digs and one assist.
“I’m proud of how our girls fought through the tight moments and kept their composure,” Gudmundson said. “We still have a few things to tighten up before we head to Cloverdale on Thursday.”
Faith McIntire’s 10 kills, five blocks and eight aces led the Cardinals, Ashlynn Cruz had 17 digs, and Lindee Bingham added six kills. Also for Clear Lake, Atiana Patino finished with 12 digs while Aniya Jauregui had 25 assists.
Clear Lake is on the road Thursday to play Fort Bragg.
In junior varsity action Tuesday, Upper Lake beat Clear Lake 27-25, 25-22, improving to 5-4 in the NCL I standings as Clear Lake slipped to 2-7.
“The girls worked together and fought until the end,” Upper Lake head coach Fawn Rave said. “Not our prettiest two sets, but they didn’t give up.”
Jordyn Parker led the team with five kills and also had nine digs, two blocks and two aces. Lizzie Fernandez added four kills and a block. Other Upper Lake leaders were Kenzie Foley with 13 digs, two kills, two aces and one assist, and Kylee Solorio with seven assists, six digs and one ace.
“We struggled with serving tonight, and usually that’s not a place I have to worry about,” Rave said. “All around proud of the girls tonight.”
Clear Lake statistics were not available.
In other NCL I action Tuesday:
Kelseyville def. Middletown
At Middletown, the Kelseyville Knights improved to a league-best 9-0 with a 25-10, 25-19, 25-22 victory over the Middletown Mustangs.
Kelseyville, a winner of 16 straight league matches dating back to last season when the Knights won the undisputed NCL I title, played a nearly flawless first set, according to head coach Donelle McCallister.
“Our first set was almost flawless in terms of very few errors in attacks and serves,” McCallister said. “Sets two and three the girls got a little off kilter and began making more hitting errors and serving errors than needed.”
An exception for the Knights was sophomore Riley Hanson, who had only one hitting error on 34 arm swings. She had a team-best 17 kills and finished with an outstanding .444 hitting average.
“Due to illness, I was down to seven players again, and the girls did a phenomenal job stepping up and working together,” Middletown head coach Erika Galvan said. “They kept their energy up throughout the entire game.”
Middletown middle hitters Carly Johnson (nine kills) and Harley Holley (five kills, two blocks) both played a strong match, according to Galvan.
“Both the senior middles had some great swings and aggressive play at the net,” Galvan said. “They definitely kept fighting throughout play. Harley had some hard swings and was very aggressive during the third set that kept us in it. Carly was getting some good shots in throughout the sets as well.”
Added Galvan, “Our passing was much better this time around (compared to the first meeting last month in Kelseyville).”
Besides Hanson, Kelseyville leaders were Maddy Borghesani with 24 assists, Ashlyn Wurm with 20 digs, Bella Patti with 18 digs and three aces, and Jordyn Wurm with six kills.
“Shout out to Jordyn Wurm who is making some great defensive plays at the net,” McCallister said.
Other Middletown leaders were Trinity Galvan with 17 digs, seven service points, three assists and two kills, Jordyn Harbison with 15 digs, five service points and one kill, and Bridget Lisenbee with 11 assists.
Middletown hosts Lower Lake on Thursday while Kelseyville returns home to play St. Helena.
In a first-place battle in JV action, Kelseyville (9-0) moved two games ahead of Middletown (7-2) in the league standings with a hard-fought 27-25, 25-22 win. The Mustangs could have moved into a tie for first place with a win.
“The girls kept their heads in the game even when they were down by as many as seven points,” McCallister said.
The Knights weren’t at full strength with Lilly Hamel (ankle) out of action and starter Grace Peterson nursing some sore wisdom teeth that are scheduled to come out next week. Peterson led the Knights with 28 digs.
“What a battle,” Middletown head coach Vanessa Davis said. “Every point was beautiful, aggressive volleyball. I love watching both of these teams play. The Tallman gym was full of excitement and life again brought on by these tremendous athletes, amazing plays and effort.”
Middletown leaders were outside hitters Emma Davis (12 kills, seven kills, three service points, two aces) and Emma Jones (four kills, four digs, four service points and one ace). Also for the Mustangs, setter Hannah Tribby finished with 11 assists, eight service points, two aces and three kills.
“Although we lost, I could not be prouder of the way we played,” Davis said. “Every point fueled with heart and grit.”
For Kelseyville, Brooklyn Young finished with 15 assists and three aces, Paelynn Beall led the team with 11 kills, and Aubree Sperber had four kills on only seven arm swings, plus one “crucial block,” according to McCallister.
Fort Bragg def. Lower Lake
At Lower Lake, the Lower Lake Trojans fell behind two sets to none but ended up going the full five sets with the Fort Bragg Timberwolves, eventually falling 25-18, 25-22, 21-25, 16-25, 15-10.
Lower Lake (0-9) threw a huge scare Fort Bragg’s way even minus two starters.
“We lost one to grades and the other was on vacation,” Lower Lake head coach Vikki Poni said. “I’m very happy with the seven who showed up. The ones who showed up played their hearts out.”
Team leaders were Khaya Chaney, Leticia Sorrells and Brooke Watson, according to Poni.
“Those three pulled up the team,” Poni said. “Lots of team members did something special tonight.”
Lower Lake, a bit rusty coming into the match, recovered from a slow start to take the third and fourth sets.
“We had gone five days without a practice,” said Poni, who said she is still recovering from an illness that has kept her in bed for most of the past week. “I’m still not 100 percent yet.”
Fort Bragg snapped a two-match losing streak and improved to 6-3.
Fort Bragg won the JV match 25-22, 25-16.
Lower Lake hits the road Thursday to play Middletown, Poni’s alma mater. Action begins with the JV match at 5 p.m.
