PRINCETON, CA – (MPG) – With the regular season drawing to a close, the Eagles’ volleyball team had one last chance to lay claim to a share of the Pioneer League crown and it took advantage of the opportunity at home last Wednesday afternoon when it swept visiting Loyalton, the one team that had bested Princeton in conference play.
With the 25-18, 25-15, 26-24 victory, the Eagles avenged a loss they suffered to the Grizzlies on Sept. 30 and forced a tie at the top of the PL standings.
Home court advantage played a role in the win according to first year head coach Lisa Pence, who also attributed her team’s success to its continued development.
“It’s a long ride, which has an effect,” Pence said after the match on Oct. 16. “But this time we have also had two more weeks of practice and I can see the difference it has made in the way we are playing.”
There was no question that Princeton was ready from the get-go, taking the first two sets with relative ease, after coming out strong from the service line and taking full advantage of unforced errors by the visitors
However, by the third set, Loyalton had acclimated and held a 23-19 advantage, before the Eagles were able to rally back for the win.
Natalia Haro was a huge factor in closing out the set as she served four of her six aces and then added a kill down the stretch.
Reyna Sullivan, who started the final comeback with a kill, finished the match with a team-high five, while Mackenzie Wills and Sissy Winn contributed to the tally with three apiece.
Setter Guadalupe Espinoza was also a difference-maker, recording 10 aces in addition to handing out 10 assists.
Allowing the Eagles to stay in system with good passing from the back row was libero Mariel Parra who led the team with eight digs and 10 service receptions.
Currently ranked No. 1 in the Northern Section Division VII, the Eagles (16-10, 10-1) competed their regular season schedule on Monday with a match at home against winless Elk Creek and learn their playoff fate today.