First-place NCL I volleyball showdown goes to Cloverdale in straight sets
Lake County Sports on Facebook
CLOVERDALE >> In a first-place showdown Thursday, it was all Cloverdale. Actually, it was pretty much all Ronni Hatcher.
Cloverdale’s sophomore middle hitter carved up the Kelseyville High School defense with 24 kills, powering the Eagles to a 25-15, 25-12, 25-21 victory over the previously undefeated Knights in North Central League I action at Cloverdale High School.
For the first time this season, Kelseyville (5-1) finds itself someplace other than atop the league standings, a position now occupied by the Eagles (6-1), who have a half-game lead and are one up in head-to-head matchups.
“We had no answer for No. 11 (Hatcher),” Kelseyville head coach Donelle McCallister said. “Cloverdale had the better team tonight. Their defense was strong and their offense stronger.”
Too many missed serves and hitting errors didn’t help the Knights’ chances. They also were called for being in the net on many occasions.
“Being called in the net 10 times didn’t help,” McCallister said. “I don’t know if the girls were in the net but man … he (official) was watching us like a hawk. Still, we just plain out lost this match.”
Nyejzniya Krohn and Matisyn Mateer led the Knights up front with seven and five kills, respectively.
“Victoria Rodriguez came in and made a difference in defense in that third set,” McCallister said. “Freshman setter Riley Hanson and freshman opposite Jordyn Wurm played well under pressure. After a slow start, libero Cali Schnabl buckled down and passed well throughout the match.”
Hatcher, who also led the Eagles with six blocks, received plenty of help from her teammates, especially Cami Donahoo with 12 kills and 17 service points.
Cloverdale travels to Lower Lake (0-6) on Tuesday while Kelseyville hits the road to play Fort Bragg (3-3). Junior varsity matches at both sites begin at 5 p.m.
Junior varsity
After dropping the first set, Kelseyville’s JV team rallied for a 24-26, 25-23, 15-9 win over Cloverdale to remain perfect in league play at 6-0.
Aubrey Sperber led the Knights with 12 kills and three aces, and Grace Hobbs contributed 12 assists and three aces.
“And she played a great defensive game,” McCallister said of Hobbs.
“Cloverdale once again played a really great game. Our girls cut down the errors in the third set and played consistently enough to win,” McCallister added.
