HIGH-STAKES LEAGUE OPENER
Foothill V-Ball roundup: Valencia asserts itself with league-opening win
The Valencia girls volleyball team wasn’t going to be rattled in its Foothill League home opener against West Ranch on Tuesday night.
Despite being down late in the second game, the Vikings settled down, fought their back and ultimately swept the Wildcats by scores of 25-16, 26-24, 25-17.
“We try to keep a steady demeanor as much as possible,” said Valencia head coach Ray Sanchez. “... Because it’s the league opener and it’s a very emotional kind of match, that there was going to be runs and we can’t get wrapped up in that.”
Kelsey Knudsen, who recently moved to the outside hitter position, tallied a match-high 16 kills on the night for the Vikings. Emily Burns added nine kills, while Daniella Villano nabbed seven.
The Wildcats looked like they were going to tie the match up at a game apiece with a strong and balanced offensive attack from Annika Bergstrom, Jordan Hilst, Tasha Skabelund and Kaitlin Schultz.
Bergstrom, Hilst, Schultz and Janessa Chase
each had four kills on the night, while Bergstrom led the way with five kills.
But the 2014 cochampions battled back in game 2 to win 26-24 off a Villano kill.
“We all came to the conclusion that our mental habits weren’t strong enough today to pull out a win vs. Valencia,” said West Ranch head coach Brandon Pank. “As much as this specific moment is weighing heavily on us we’re incredibly excited to train tomorrow, because we think we know what we need to do to be more successful throughout the season.”
The third game was knotted up at 16 until the Vikings scored the final 10 points of the game.
Today, Valencia (5- 0 overall, 1-0 Foothill League) takes on Saugus, which also won its league opener Tuesday night.
West Ranch (8-6, 0-1) will have its league home opener Thursday when Hart visits West Ranch. Hart 3, Canyon 0 The Indians defeated the Cowboys in straight games by scores of 2518, 25-9, 25-22. Outside hitters Amy McKee, Sarah Coblentz and Madi Fay each tallied five kills to lead Hart, which moves to 5-3 overall and 1- 0 in league.
The young Cowboys started two freshmen and two sophomores in their league home opener. Sophomore outside hitter Makela Lyons had four kills and six digs for Canyon, which moves to 4-8 overall and 0-1 in league. Freshman libero CJ Catabona had 10 digs, while senior setter Kylie Gotham- Garcia had 14 assists.
Saugus 3, Golden Valley 0 The Cents won their opening league match on the road by beating the Grizzlies with scores of 25-9, 25-14, 25-13. Jessica Jimenez knocked in seven kills with a .538 hitting percentage to lead Saugus, which moves to 9-8 overall and 1-0 in league play. Caitlin Liebe added five kills, while Alison Ritchie dropped in four balls for aces.
Saugus’ good serving kept Golden Valley from getting in an offensive rhythm. But leading the way for the Grizzlies was senior outside hitter Kelsey Bauer, who tallied nine kills on the night.
Golden Valley drops to 5-8 overall and 0-1 in league with the loss.