Winning back-to-back division titles is no easy feat and the Colusa RedHawks found that out last Saturday in Red Bluff.
The RedHawks were swept by the No. 1 seeded U-Prep Panthers 25-15, 25-12, 25-14 in the Northern Section CIF Division IV title game on Nov. 6.
Despite playing hard, Colusa, the No. 2 seed, and reigning NSCIF Division V champions, could not overcome the power and defense of the Panthers, who are arguably one of the best teams in the entire North State.
U-Prep, the Northern Athletic League champion, boasts two of the section’s kill leaders, who displayed their considerable abilities all game long, as they relentlessly hammered the RedHawks from the outside.
Yet, just as impressive was the Panther defense, which handled everything the Colusa attack had to offer.
Without question, the Panthers’ strength of schedule benefited them coming into the match, whereas Colusa found little resistance among its inexperienced opponents throughout the season.
Reese Roper led the RedHawks’ effort, making 29 service receptions and nine digs, while recording a team- high eight kills on the attack.
Setter Abby Myers handed out 12 assists for Colusa, who struggled at the net against the U-Prep block.
In the back row, Anahi Guzman accounted for 19 service receptions and 10 digs, with Lexy Avera pitching in with seven digs.
Regardless of the defeat, with a 32-8 overall record, the RedHawks have no reason to hang their heads, as coach Kim Roper touched upon after the match.
“We played hard, which is all I can ask of my team,” Roper said. “There were points where we played well, but U-Prep is very impressive and were better than we were today. It’s disappointing for sure, but we’re not done yet. We are going to try and make a run in the state tournament.”
Colusa (32-8) received the No. 6 seed in the CIF Division V State Championship Tournament and hosted No. 11 Urban, a team from San Francisco that was the North Coast Section Division V runner-up on Nov. 9. ■