NCL I volleyball teams complete first full week of action
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UPPER LAKE >> Clear Lake did it on the road in five, Kelseyville at home in four, as both teams improved to 2-0 in the North Central League I varsity volleyball standings Thursday night as did the Fort Bragg Timberwolves with a straight-set win at Lower Lake.
Clear Lake at Upper Lake
Upper Lake (0-3) won two of the first three sets for the third time in its three league matches so far this season, but Clear Lake (2-0) rallied for a 25-9, 22-25, 23-25, 27-25, 15-10 win. All three of the Cougars’ five-set losses have come at home.
“Despite our efforts, we couldn’t seal the victory,” Upper Lake head coach Dani Paige Gudmundson said. “It’s becoming evident that we need to work on our consistency in each set, particularly in the crucial fifth set.”
Alyssa John finished with seven kills, two blocks six digs and nine service points for Upper Lake while Aimee Schaefers had nine kills and nine blocks. Other leaders were Angelina Rivera with seven blocks, seven digs and service points, and Hope Marcks with 20 assists, five digs and eight service points.
Clear Lake statistics were not reported.
Clear Lake also rallied to win the junior varsity match, 21-25, 25-18, 15-11. Kenzie Foley had four digs, two aces and two assists for Upper Lake (0-3) while teammate Abigail Suzor finished with seven blocks, three kills and three aces.
“Looked good in the first set and Abigail Suzor was finally killing it on the net,” Upper Lake head coach Fawn Rave said. “The girls were working together and covering the court.”
No statistics were reported for Clear Lake (2-0).
Upper Lake visits Cloverdale while Clear Lake hosts Fort Bragg on Tuesday. Junior varsity matches start at 5 p.m.
Middletown at Kelseyville
The Kelseyville Knights had all they could handle in turning back the Middletown Mustangs 25-20, 19-25, 25-12, 25-22.
“Middletown had some wonderful offense,” Kelseyville head coach Donelle McCallister said of the Mustangs’ powerful front-line attack of Mia Hoogendoorn (16 kills) and Makayla Mace (13 kills). “We struggled a little bit, but our girls kept their cool and kept grinding.”
“Kelseyville’s tough block and floor defense is tough to break,” Middletown head coach Norberto Quiroz said. “They can also attack in many ways. They are well coached. The Mustang defense worked hard to keep the team in the game. This is a gritty team.”
Olivia Hommer (12 kills), Nyejzniya Krohn (eight kills) and Briana Davis (six kills) powered the Knights up front while Cali Schnabl (20 digs) anchored the defense.
McCallister said the Knights received a big boost off the bench in the fourth and final set when Ashlyn Wurm came up with a handful of key serves to keep her team in front.
Other Kelseyville leaders were Ashlyn Klein with 18 assists and Matisyn Mateer with three blocks. For Middletown, Carly Johnson had 21 digs and eight blocks.
The Knights also came away with a win in the JV match, improving to 2-0 in league play with a 25-13, 26-24 victory. Grace Hobbs led the way for Kelseyville with 10 aces, four kills, two blocks and 10 digs.
“Grace Hobbs played a wonderful game,” McCallister said.
Bella Farfan-Boyles, Aubrey Sperber and Olivia Bushey had four kills apiece for Kelseyville.
“Kelseyville has strong serving, and we dug ourselves into a hole a few times,” Middletown head coach Erika Galvan said. “They have a solid team this year.”
Hannah Tribby had two aces and a kill for the Mustangs (1-1).
Kelseyville is home Tuesday to face St. Helena (1-1) while Middletown (0-2) visits Lower Lake (0-2). JV action at both locations begins at 5 p.m.
Fort Bragg at Lower Lake
Fort Bragg took care of Lower Lake in three sets, winning 25-14, 25-21, 25-13.
“Played a better game defensively tonight,” Lower Lake head coach Shannon Tubbs said. “Serves were not as crisp as they could have been. As a group the girls battled and are showing signs of improvement, better movement altogether.”
Leanna Ortega finished with three kills for Lower Lake (0-2) while Jamiya Lee-Ayers had two aces and Brooke Watson three digs.
Fort Bragg also won the JV match, 25-19, 25-17.
Lower Lake’s teams are home again Tuesday to face Middletown beginning with the JV match at 5 p.m.
