PREP VOLLEYBALL Sutter sweeps Marysville as Howsley returns to old school
Husky middle records nine kills in return to Marysville
Wednesday’s Pioneer Valley League match at Marysville High School had a similar theme through all three sets: Sutter Union High and Marysville battled for the first few points before the Huskies scored runs in each set to prevail in a sweep over the Indians (25-15 25-16, 25-15).
The win kept Sutter (23-7, 7-1) in second in the PVL standings – a game back of league leader Bear River (22-1, 8-0). Sutter and Bear River will meet again Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in Sutter in what could decide the league title.
In third place, a crucial spot for the postseason, Wheatland (13-10, 5-4) continues to sit two-and-a-half games back of Sutter heading into the final month of the regular season.
For Sutter, the trip to Marysville marked the return of middle Lola Howsley for the first time since transferring at the beginning of her junior year.
Howsley had nine kills on 23 swings, including one shot out of the middle that landed straight into the body of Lilly Boom, surely waking up the Marysville junior in the backrow.
“She played it well (and) had some great hits,” said Sutter head coach Elizabeth Bhatti said on Howsley’s return to Marysville. “I don’t think if she had nerves that she let it come across in her play at all. She wants to always do well … she is a natural competitor.”
Since coming across the bridge, Howsley has provided a solid middle threat for the Huskies to balance the team’s offense that is headlined by power outside hitter Torrence Harter. With both being juniors Bhatti feels the team’s
attack is in a good place moving forward.
“Lola, Torrence and Ashley (Hudson) lead us (offensively),” Bhatti said. “It is difficult to pick all three of them up on defense.”
Aided by Howsley,
Sutter grabbed full control of the opening set at Marysville with an 8-1 run to move the Huskies in front, 14-6. Howsley helped put it in the books with a cross-court quick set off the hands of Jaycee Lee.
Marysville answered in the second, thanks in part to a gritty backrow that touched multiple balls throughout the match. Carmen White, the team’s libero, forced multiple long rallies with digs out of the center back.
Marysville (7-11, 3-5) led set two 9-5 before Sutter answered back to tie the set at 12. Sutter never looked back, closing it out on a 13-4 run to take a 2-0 lead in the bestof-five match.
Harter had several smacks, including a number of transition winners during her
12-kill performance at Marysville. She would find space in the back, along with power swings that dribbled down the inside part of the Marysville block.
Marysville, while it found itself at a severe disadvantage at the net versus Sutter, measured up in the backrow all night, according to head coach Annie Wooten.
“They weren’t afraid,” Wooten said. “I stand on a box that’s probably three feet tall so my head is over the net and I hit ball after ball after ball down at them. I (say), ‘Just put your arms out, rock back and let it bounce off … Don’t be scared.”
Marysville again was within a point or two of Sutter in the third set up until a back-half 7-1 Husky run turned a 12-10 advantage into 19-11.
Howsley delivered during the final run to add to her individual total, but was not successful all the time,
Wooten said.
“They can read her and that’s the advantage of having played with her for two years here,” Wooten said.
Sutter senior outside hitter Ashley Hudson added seven kills on 32 swings, while Lee provided 34 setter assists in the win. Marysvilel’s box score was unavailable by press time.
Sutter is in Colfax Monday for a 6:30 p.m. scheduled match, while Marysville hosts Lindhurst (4-9, 0-7 PVL) at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
College volleyball
Yuba College got its first win on Wednesday with a straight-set (25-10, 25-9, 25-11) victory over College of Alameda in a Bay Valley Conference match.
Carsyn Minton had nine kills for Yuba College, while Aidan Weyland provided five kills and six service aces for the 49ers (1-3, 1-0 BVC).
Yuba is in Contra
Costa Friday for a 6 p.m. scheduled match.