After having their first match of the year against Middletown postponed, the Colusa RedHawks finally got their chance Thursday night at home and made the most of the opportunity. The RedHawks swept visiting Sutter by scores of 25-22, 25-18, 25-19.
It was not only the RedHawks first win of the season, but also marked the first for Kim Roper, Colusas varsity head coach.
While describing getting the first match of the year under her belt as a huge relief, Roper also said she was pleased with her teams performance, although she acknowledged there was room for improvement after the girls spent a little too much of the match out of system.
” There were some ups and downs for us,” Roper said. ” Not surprisingly, when we communicated things went well; when we didnt, the opposite happened. Still, it was a really big win for us.
Thursdays game was a somewhat shaky start for the RedHawks, who found themselves down 4-0 as the first set began and continually played from behind.
It was strong serving from senior Leah Ferrara, who performed well throughout the match, that turned the tide for Colusa, after Ferrara delivered four straight points from the service line to get her team back in the game and tie the score at 21-21.
What then ensued were several hard-fought points, before sophomore Elle Faris, making an impressive varsity debut, closed out the set.
Pinpoint serving – along with not playing the Huskies at the net – proved to be the difference all match long, as the RedHawks were too much for the visitors to handle.
Seniors Reese Roper and Abby Myers turned in strong all-round performances, with Roper recording nine kills, four blocks, and 10 service points. Myers handed out 18 assists, served for 18 points, and made seven digs.
Also having a major impact on the outcome was junior Karsyn Gwinnup, who finished with eight kills and three blocks.
Colusa (1-0) was back at it this week, hosting Clear Lake on Tuesday, before hitting the road to face Orland on Wednesday, Lindhurst on Thursday, and then participate in Sutters Battle for the Buttes Tournament on Saturday. –
