Cougars rally on the road for five-set victory at Maxwell
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CLOVERDALE >> A battle between last year’s North Central League I varsity volleyball champions was dominated by the Kelseyville Knights, 25-14, 25-10, 25-18 winners over the Cloverdale Eagles on Tuesday evening in Cloverdale.
Kelseyville (10-2) received contributions from all over the court while defeating Cloverdale in straight sets for the second time this season (they also beat the Eagles in the season-opening Upper Lake Tournament last month).
“The team worked well together and displayed a lot of power, especially at the service line,” Kelseyville head coach Donelle McCallister said.
Madison Byrne led the way with nine kills, Olivia Bushey added eight kills and 13 digs, and Cassidy Hanson, a freshman, finished with seven kills. Paelynn Beall also had four kills.
“Lilly Hamel and Jordyn Wurm slowed down their left side with some excellent block touches,” McCallister said.
Other Kelseyville leaders were Riley Hanson with 18 assists, Grace Peterson with 15 digs, and Brooklyn Young with four assists.
The NCL I has been realigned this season into North and South divisions. The new NCL I North features Kelseyville, Clear Lake, Upper Lake, Lower Lake, Fort Bragg and Willits. The new NCL I South consists of Cloverdale, Middletown, St. Helena, Credo, Sonoma Academy and Roseland University Prep.
Kelseyville’s junior varsity team also won in straight sets, 25-14, 25-21, behind 10 assists from Mali Rico, 10 dis from Gabby Keyes, seven aces from Nya Martinez, and four kills apiece from Kaia Bohan and Olivia Arredondo.
Kelseyville’s teams hit the road Thursday to play Middletown. The JV match starts at 5 p.m.
In other volleyball action Tuesday:
Middletown def. Clear Lake
At Lakeport, Bridget Lisenbee’s seven aces and 11 assists helped lift the Middletown Mustangs (8-8) past the Clear Lake Cardinals (3-10) in NCL I interlock action, 25-17, 26-24, 25-20.
Grace Williams reeled off six straight points at the service line to close out the match, rallying the Mustangs from a 20-19 deficit. Williams also finished with three kills and one ace.
Emma Davis led Middletown with 11 kills. The sophomore also had eight digs and two aces.
Clear Lake won the JV match 25-13, 25-16. For Middletown, Lilly Reyes finished with 14 digs and two kills while Janel Wilkinson had 12 digs, one ace and one assist. Gracie Carpenter had two aces.
Clear Lake statistics were not reported.
Middletown hosts Kelseyville on Thursday. Clear Lake returns to action next Tuesday in Kelseyville.
Upper Lake def. Maxwell
At Maxwell, Upper Lake had all it could handle in rallying to beat Maxwell 25-11, 18-25, 18-25, 25-18, 15-10 in non-league action. The match was moved from Upper Lake to Maxwell because of the Lucas Fire north of Upper Lake.
“Thank you to Maxwell and the refs for helping us relocate the game with Upper Lake shut down due to the Lucas Fire,” Upper Lake head coach Fawn Rave said. “We started off strong and lost our groove in the second set. The girls had to adjust and work together to pull the win off.”
Alyssa John fueled Upper Lake’s attack with a team-best 15 kills to go along with 21 digs, three assists and one block. Rilee Sperber finished with 26 assists and three aces, Aubree Sperber had six kills and three aces, Jordyn Parker added six aces and five kills, and Abby Suzor had three blocks.
Upper Lake won the JV match 25-5, 25-15.
“I would like to acknowledge Taylin Sharp for starting the first set with nine straight service points,” Upper Lake head coach Raelene Cromwell said. “Addison Schaefers followed with 10 straight points.”
Sabrina Wenning had three kills and Jordin Hughes a solo block for the Cougars.
“The Lady Cougars are working well together,” Cromwell said.
Upper Lake opens its North Central League I North schedule next Tuesday at home against Willits. JV action begins at 5 p.m.
