Knights, Cougars sweep opponents in varsity volleyball action
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FORT BRAGG >> Add another league championship pennant to the Kelseyville collection.
Behind seven kills apiece from Cassidy Hanson and Madi Byrne, the Knights beat the Fort Bragg Timberwolves 25-16, 25-23, 25-8 on Thursday night in Fort Bragg to secure no worse than a share of the North Central League I North varsity volleyball championship. Kelseyville (8-0) need only win one of its two remaining league matches, at Willits (0-8) or home against Upper Lake (6-2), to clinch the outright title.
“The girls played loose,” Kelseyville head coach Donelle McCallister said. “We had many more block touches and hitter protection digs, which is something we worked at this week. Strong serving helped.”
Riley Hanson led the Knights with 17 assists, Olivia Bushey finished with six kills, and Jordyn Wurm had two blocks. Cassidy Hason had a team-best five aces while Byrne had 11 digs.
“Libero Grace Peterson had a solid game, picking up nine digs,” McCallister said. “She went to the service line 16 times with two aces.”
Kelseyville’s junior varsity squad also clinched no worse than a tie for the league title with a 25-12, 25-14 win over Fort Bragg. Team leaders were Kaia Bohan with five kills, Nya Martinez with five aces and Mali Rico with 10 assists.
The Knights are on the road Tuesday in Willits. JV action begins at 5 p.m.
In other NCL I volleyball action Thursday:
Upper Lake def. Clear Lake
At Upper Lake, the Upper Lake Cougars beat the Clear Lake Cardinals 25-21, 26-24, 25-22 on senior night. Upper Lake opened and closed the NCL I North match with its four seniors, Alyssa John, Abigail Suzor, Ava Witter and Destiny Caballero, on the floor.
The Cougars improved to 6-2 in North play, moving into sole possession of second place in the league standings.
“It’s been a pleasure to coach three of these girls as freshmen, the ‘Magnificent 7,’ and continue coaching and helping all four of them over the years, finishing with them as the varsity coach this year,” Upper Lake head coach Fawn Rave said. “It’s always sad to see them grow up and leave, but this year’s a bit tougher. One senior, Alyssa John, has been a Cougar in training since I came onto the Cougar volleyball program nine years ago, and it has been fun watching her grow as a player, and coaching your child is such a blessing.”
John led the Cougars with nine kills, seven digs, three blocks and one assist while Rilee Sperber finished with 11 assists, six digs and two aces. Other team leaders were Aubree Sperber with six kills, three blocks and three digs, Jordyn Parker with nine digs, three kills, two blocks and two aces, Riley Jones with 10 digs and two aces, and Marina Quiett with 10 digs and four aces.
“Everyone got a chance on the court tonight and we did good working as a team to get the win tonight,” Rave said. “We have been working on our defense and covering, and the girls did a great job. We had some pretty great swings, too.”
Aniya Jauregui’s seven kills, five aces and four digs led the Cardinals (3-5), and Ashlynn Cruz had five kills and four aces. Other Clear Lake leaders were Paisley Himenes with five digs and Avery Fiske with three kills and two aces.
Clear Lake rallied to win the junior varsity match, 19-25, 25-20, 15-12. For Upper Lake, Jordin Hughes led the team with six kills, Sabrina Wenning added four kills, and Kylee Solorio added 13 service points and one ace.
“The ladies worked hard and gave it their all,” Upper Lake head coach Raelene Cromwell said.
Upper Lake plays at Lower Lake on Tuesday while Clear Lake hosts Fort Bragg. JV action at both locations begins at 5 p.m.
Cloverdale def. Middletown
At Middletown, the Cloverdale Eagles (8-0) beat the Middletown Mustangs 25-23, 25-15, 25-11 to clinch no worse than a tie for the NCL I South championship.
Middletown (3-5) dropped its fourth straight South match.
The Mustangs honored seniors Jordyn Harbison, Hailey Williams, Samantha Maccario, Bridget Lisenbee, Brenna Goodloe and Izzi Hoogendoorn during senior night festivities. Hoogendoorn, who is graduating early, had six kills, six service points and one ace during the match while Harbison had 12 digs, five service points, two assists and one ace. Emma Davis, a sophomore, led the Mustangs with 13 kills. She also had 12 digs and one block.
Cloverdale won the JV match 25-21, 25-16. For Middletown, Cassidy Duval finished with eight digs, four kills and one ace, Lilly Reys had four kills, two blocks and two aces, and Carlee Williams played outstanding defense, according to head coach Erika Galvan.
“Her defense was the best it’s been all season,” Galvan said.
Middletown is on the road Tuesday to play Credo in Rohnert Park. The JV match starts at 5 p.m.
