Clear Lake, Upper Lake volleyball teams close league play with victories
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FORT BRAGG >> The Kelseyville Knights secured a share of the North Central League I varsity volleyball championship Thursday night with a 25-22, 25-16, 25-16 win on the road against the Fort Bragg Timberwolves.
It was the league and regular-season finale for both teams.
Cloverdale clinched the other half of the title with a 25-18, 25-20, 25-8 win at Lower Lake. Both Kelseyville (13-1) and Cloverdale (13-1) automatically advance to next week’s North Coast Section playoffs, Kelseyville as the higher seed as Cloverdale elected not to take part in a special playoff match Saturday in Cloverdale that would have determined that higher seed. The North Coast Section at-large and seeding meeting on Sunday will determine who, when and where the Knights and Eagles play in first-round action either Tuesday or Wednesday.
Kelseyville, coming off a five-set loss at Cloverdale on Tuesday, struggled a bit in the first set against Fort Bragg (8-6), but dominated the remainder of the match.
“While Fort Bragg is beautiful, the drive is always a little rough, especially playing a tough match in Cloverdale on Tuesday,” Kelseyville head coach Donelle McCallister said. “They still came together as a team and finished the job tonight quickly.”
Added McCallister, “The girls worked hard to put away the win in order to tie for the league pennant.”
AJ Wurm (19 digs) and Bella Patti (12 digs) turned in a strong performance, according to McCallister.
“They passed well tonight, making plays at the net a little easier,” McCallister said.
Riley Hanson, only a sophomore, led the team with 11 kills and also had 13 assists. Mati Mateer and Olivia Bushey finished with nine kills apiece while Maddy Borghesani contributed 18 assists and 15 digs. Wurm, Borghesani and Patti led the team with four aces each.
Kelseyville’s varsity has secured some share of the league title two years running.
In junior varsity action, Kelseyville completed a 14-0 run through the NCL I with a 25-13, 25-8 win over Fort Bragg, the Knights’ third consecutive league crown under head coach Maille McCallister.
Team leaders were Paelynn Beall with 10 kills, Brooklyn Young with 14 assists and Grace Peterson with 14 digs. Gabby Keyes and Bella Farfan Boyles head eight digs each while Kaia Bohan and Olivia Arredondo had four aces apiece.
“I’m very excited for coach Maille McCallister and her team,” varsity head coach Donelle McCallister said. “They have all worked hard throughout the season reaching their goal of winning league.”
In other league finales Friday:
Clear Lake def. Middletown
At Middletown, Clear Lake (4-10) closed out its season with a second straight league win, beating Middletown 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22.
Middletown (7-7) honored its two seniors, Carly Johnson and Harley Holley, before the match. Johnson led the team with 14 kills and also had seven service points, one ace, three blocks and seven digs. Holley added seven kills and four blocks, nine service points, three aces and nine digs.
Other team leaders were Bridget Lisenbee with 17 digs and 15 assists, Samantha Maccario with 17 digs and two aces, Trinity Galvan with 24 digs, 10 assists, four kills, eight service points and three aces, and Jordyn Harbison with 25 digs, seven service points and two aces. Hailey Williams and Brenna Goodloe each had four kills.
“Carly Johnson and Harley Holley both had strong performances tonight,” Middletown head coach Erika Galvan said. “They both worked so hard out there.”
Added Galvan, “Jordyn Harbison and Trinity Galvan worked hard with their passing. Together they had almost 50 digs. These girls worked hard, but in the end Clear Lake wanted it more.”
Clear Lake statistics were not available.
In the JV match, Middletown completed a 12-2 league season with a 25-17, 25-21 win over Clear Lake (4-10).
“Middletown served it up tonight with a team collective of 18 aces,” Middletown head coach Vanessa Davis said. “We were on fire with our serves, which kept us in the game.”
Setter Hannah Tribby helped led the way with five service points, all of them aces, 12 assists and two kills, outside hitter Emma Jones finished with seven service points, four aces and four kills, and middle blocker Grace Williams added eight service points, four aces, two kills and one block.
Other Middletown leaders were middle blocker Jolene Holley with three kills, one block three service points and one ace, and outside hitter Emma Davis with six kills, three service points, three aces and three digs.
“Jolene Holley and Grace Williams did a great job at the net blocking continuously and keeping the hit ball denied,” Davis said. “Overall, this was a great season for our JV Mustangs. I am very proud of their growth as a team. They will continue to be a strong group of athletes for Middletown High for years to come.”
Clear Lake statistics were not reported.
Upper Lake def. St. Helena
At Upper Lake, the Upper Lake Cougars honored seniors Aimee Schaefers, Camila Martin, Kiri Casperson and Aubrey Suzor before taking the court and beating the St. Helena Saints 25-11, 16-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-8.
“What a night,” Upper Lake head coach Dani Paige Gudmundson said. “I don’t even know where to begin other than to say how incredibly proud I am of this team. The energy in the gym tonight was unlike any other game we’ve ever had. It was loud, fun and electric.”
Added Gudmundson, “All five sets were filled with great rallies, amazing hustle and unbelievable coverage. It was truly the perfect way to end the season.”
Gudmundson praised the efforts of her four seasons.
“I’m going to miss them so much,” Gudmundson said. “They all played beautifully tonight. Aimee Schaefers had a phenomenal night, serving 10 (points) in a row with five aces in the first set alone. She brought so much life and energy into the gym and played outstanding all around.
“Camila Martin recorded 32 assists, her best game of the season by far. She hustled through all five sets, front and back row, setting up her teammates and covering the court like a pro,” Gudmundson added.
Alyssa John, a junior, led the team with 21 kills. She also had 14 service points, five aces, eight blocks and 28 digs.
“Just incredible consistency on both sides of the ball,” Gudmundson said.
Schaefers finished with 11 service points, five aces, 18 kills, 13 digs and a team-leading 13 blocks. Riley Jones added 11 service points and two kills while Ava Witter anchored the defense with 16 digs. She also had 11 service points.
St. Helena rallied to beat Upper Lake 19-25, 25-17, 15-13 in the JV match, leaving the Cougars at 7-7 in league play.
“What a game,” Upper Lake head coach Fawn Rave said. “Our first set everyone played amazing and was excited. Second set we were down but the girls fought and never gave up. Third set they all did great and fought to the end. We had some great rallies tonight and I’m so proud of the girls this season.”
Jordyn Parker finished seven kills, two blocks, six service points, three aces and four digs while Kenzie Foley had 21 digs, six service points and two kills. Other leaders were Karime Martin with eight assists and three digs, Bristol Stiritz with 11 digs and one kill, Emily Franco with 22 digs, Tillie Boomer with 10 digs, Lizzie Fernandez with three kills and two digs, and Kylee Solorio with 15 digs, six assists and one ace.
Cloverdale def. Lower Lake
At Lower Lake, the Cloverdale Eagles (13-1) secured their half of the league championship with a 25-18, 25-20, 25-8 win over Lower Lake (0-14).
“As we wrapped up our final volleyball game tonight, I couldn’t be prouder of our team, especially our four seniors,” Lower Lake head coach Vikki Poni said. “They played with passion and determination through the first two sets, truly leaving everything on the court.”
Added Poni, “The third set got away from us, and I know they felt some disappointment, but their effort and heart never wavered.”
Leanna Ortego led the Trojans with five kills and two aces.
“Our four seniors, Lety Sorrells, Hailee McRae, Jamiya Lee-Ayers and Brooke Watson, played like it was their last game, contributing with kills, blocks and aces. I wish them all the best for the rest of their senior year.”
