Kelseyville closes in on another league championship with sweep of Lower Lake
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FORT BRAGG >> Avenging a five-set home loss to Fort Bragg on Sept. 24, the Upper Lake Cougars defeated those same Timberwolves 25-23, 25-23, 25-22 on Tuesday night in Fort Bragg.
The outcome of the North Central League I North match leaves both teams tied for second place at 5-2, two games behind the Kelseyville Knights (7-0).
“The Lady Cougars had a good night on the court,” Upper Lake head coach Fawn Rave said. “They played well and did a great job covering and hustling. Close sets, but they were able to fight until the end of each set to bring home the win.”
Alyssa John’s seven kills, eight digs, three blocks and two aces led the way. Aubree Sperber added seven service points, four aces, four kills and six digs while Kenzie Foley had seven assists. Other team leaders were Jordyn Parker with five digs, three kills, three blocks and one ace, and Marina Quiett with four digs, two kills and one ace.
Upper Lake won the junior varsity match 25-6, 25-9 and is now 6-1 in league play. Sabrina Wenning’s 12 service points, four aces and one kill sparked the Cougars. Kyra Santos contributed five service points and four kills.
“Everyone played and worked well together,” Upper Lake head coach Raelene Cromwell said.
Upper Lake teams are home Thursday to take on Clear Lake. JV action begins at 5 p.m. It’s senior night for the varsity club.
In other league action Tuesday:
Kelseyville def. Lower Lake
At Kelseyville, behind 20 assists from Riley Hanson and eight kills from Cassidy Hanson, the Kelseyville Knights moved to within a win of clinching no worse than a share of the NCL I North championship with a 25-12, 25-8, 25-17 victory over the Lower Lake Trojans.
“Riley did a great job connecting with hitters in all zones,” Kelseyville head coach Donelle McCallister said.
Paelynn Beall added six kills on nine arms swings with no errors while Lilly Had had five kills and eight swings with no errors.
“Impressive tonight were two sophomores,” McCallister said of Beall and Hamel.
The serve receive of Olivia Bushey and Cassidy Hanson also stood out, according to McCallister. Bushey also led the team with five aces. Both Bushey and Hanson were above a two average pass rating on a scale of zero to three.
“First time all season we’ve had two players achieve that stat,” McCallister said.
Lower Lake stats were not reported. The Trojans are 1-6 in league play.
Kelseyville’s JVs also improve to 7-0 in North play with a 25-13, 25-9 win over Lower Lake. Olivia Arredondo led the Knights with six kills, Mali Rico finished with 14 assists, and Nya Martinez had five aces.
Kelseyville’s teams make the long trip to Fort Bragg on Thursday. The JV match opens at 5 p.m.
Clear Lake def. Willits
At Lakeport, Clear Lake improved to 3-4 in the North standings with a 25-18, 25-15, 25-8 win over the Willits Wolverines (0-7).
Aniya Jauregui served up eight aces and had three kills for Clear Lake while Ashlynn Cruz added five kills and two aces. The Cardinals’ other leaders were Kiara Hopkins with four aces and three kills, Avery Fiske with three kills and three aces, and Jazmin Wiebusch with 16 assists.
Clear Lake won the JV match 25-22, 25-18.
The Cardinals travel to Upper Lake on Thursday. JV action begins at 5 p.m.
Sonoma Academy def. Middletown
At Santa Rosa, after losing to Middletown in five sets on Sept. 24 in Middletown, the Sonoma Academy Coyotes returned the favor Thursday, topping the Mustangs in five sets, 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 24-26, 15-11.
“We played solidly tonight,” Middletown head coach Erika Galvan said. “There were several rallies that just kept going, and the girls kept hustling.”
Bridget Lisenbee had a big night for Middletown with 22 service points, 18 assists, 12 digs and three aces while Emma Davis recorded 28 digs, 19 kills, eight service points and four aces.
Middletown also received a lift from Izzi Hoogendoorn with 29 digs, 13 kills and two aces, Jordyn Harbison with 22 digs and three assists, and Trinity Galvan with 23 digs and 13 assists.
“Our defense kept us in the game tonight,” Galvan said. “The girls were all over the court.”
Middletown (3-4) has dropped its last three NCL I South matches. Sonoma Academy improved to 6-2.
Middletown’s JV team won its first league match and first match of the season with a come-from-behind 13-25, 25-23, 17-15 victory over Sonoma Academy.
“These girls have never given up their fighting spirit,” Galvan said. “It paid off tonight. It was so exciting to see them get this win.”
Rylee Gabbert served eight straight points in the second set, tilting momentum in Middletown’s favor, according to Galvan. She also had nine digs, three aces and one kill.
Cassidy Duval led the Mustangs with 13 digs and five kills, Janel Wilkinson added seven assists and four aces, and Ella Del Zompo contributed nine digs.
Middletown’s teams are home Thursday to face Cloverdale. JV play starts at 5 p.m.
