Having steamrolled Paradise 25-9, 25-11, 25-16 in an SVL contest to start last week, then not playing their best in a 21-25, 26-24, 26-28, 18-25 loss in Orland, the RedHawks came from two sets down to knock off East Nicolaus 23-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-8, 15-12.
While statistics from the match against the Bobcats were incomplete, Olivia Huskey finished with eight digs and Mia Valencia made seven digs and served three aces.
In Orland, although both teams struggled with errors, serving proved paramount as the Trojans served at a 90 percent rate compared to just 80 for Colusa.
Addison Lay led the attack with 13 kills, while for the defense Abril Guzman made 20 digs, and Elle Faris had 15.
Yet, the RedHawks saved their best effort for their last match of the week as they ended the Spartans’ 16-game win streak in SVL play, dating back to last year.
Although East Nicolaus was without Jayden Hoffman, arguably the best player in the Northern Section, Colusa’s passion and refusal to quit made it one of the more impressive matches it has played in recent memory.
And, while serving failed them in Orland, it didn’t against the Spartans as they landed 25 aces, prompting Coach Kim Roper to praise her team’s performance in that capacity saying, “We had some clutch serving tonight. Not just from the starters but from girls who came off the bench cold as well.”
Faris turned in a strong all-around performance that included 16 kills, 11 assists, 19 digs, and eight aces.
Lay was also instrumental on the attack accounting for 25 assists and nine kills, while McKenna Azbill finished with a season’s best 10 kills.
Credit also goes to the RedHawk back row led by Guzman’s 25 digs and 11 more from Huskey, as they fended off some thunderous swings from the Spartans. Guzman was also impressive at the service line, where she did not miss in 24 attempts and at one juncture served for 15 consecutive points.
Now sitting atop the standings, Colusa (17-7, 4-0) battled Willows on Sept. 19, in a match for outright control in the SVL, then played a rivalry match with Pierce on Sept. 21.H
