Colusa 3 – Willows 0 (9/8)
Colusa 3 – Hamilton City 0 (9/9)
Colusa 3 – Winters 0 (9/10)
Not only did the RedHawks extend their win streak to 11 straight, but additionally have kept alive their run of not dropping a set over that time span as they sandwiched victories over Sacramento Valley League rivals Willows and Winters around a thrashing of Hamilton City in a non-conference affair last week.
Boasting one of the most formidable front rows in the section, Colusa averaged just shy of 32 kills over the three matches, hammering away against opponents who lacked an effective block.
Starting off at home against Willows, the RedHawks breezed to a 25-7, 25-22, 25-14 win as setter Cindel Oliver facilitated the offense by dishing 21assists, then completed the double-double by making 10 digs.
Peyton Miller swung a heavy hand posting a match-high 17 kills as she hit at a .441 clip, while Abby Coronado tallied eight kills while additionally making 11 digs.
Marlie Berry, who currently sits third in the Northern Section in digs with 193, finished the night with 12.
Hosting Hamilton City the following evening, Colusa showed no mercy in dismissing the visiting Braves by scores of 25-12, 25-8, 25-8.
Again, it was Miller leading the attack, this time logging 12 kills, Coronado made good on another eight, while Oliver handed out 16 assists.
At the service line, Leyla Avera recorded seven of her team’s 16 aces.
To round out their slate of matches, the RedHawks polished off winless Winters 25-6, 25-13, 25-14 on the road to go 2-0 in SVL play.
Coronado, now fifth in the section in kills with 195, added eight more to her total, while Lauren Gomez hit .500 to end the night with eight kills as well.
Just a freshman, Gomez has been particularly impressive in her short tenure for Colusa, leading the section in hitting percentage at .362, which has manifested into 90 kills, then defensively, has tallied 30 blocks and forced opposing hitters to alter their shots on nearly every approach when she is at the net.
Another integral part of the RedHawk front row has been Kendall Marengo, who against the Warriors accounted for 11 points with six aces and five kills.
Avera contributed 16 assists in the win.
Ticking up one spot to No. 5 in the section rankings, the RedHawks (17-4, 2-0) entertained No. 1 U-Prep on Sept. 15 in what is a rematch of last years’ section title match and perhaps a preview of what is to come this season. They then traveled to Arbuckle to take on Pierce two days later in an SVL showdown.
Pierce 3 – Clear Lake 0 (9/8)
Pierce 3 – Willows 2 (9/10)
Although the Bears picked up two wins last week, the young team, with at times four sophomores on the court, continued to struggle with its consistency.
At home against Clear Lake to round out the preseason, Pierce had a relatively easy go of it downing the Cardinals 25-23, 25-10, 25-15 behind 17 kills and four blocks from Riley Delepierre.
Audrey Weber finished with 13 assists, while Leslye Velazquez and Aileen Myers had nine digs apiece.
On the road for its Sacramento Valley League opener, the Bears needed five sets, but outlasted Willows 25-19, 23-25, 25-11, 23-25, 15-13.
Delepierre had her second 20-plus kill night of the season, coming away with 23, putting her second in the section in hitting percentage at .352.
Presli Harris, one of the sophomores learning the ropes, had a big role in the victory accounting for 10 kills, 15 digs and 10 assists, while Weber distributed 32 assists and made 12 digs.
Velazquez had match-high 18 digs with Charlotte Reyna not far behind with 14.
Winners of three straight, things got tougher for the Bears (8-11, 1-0) this week as they hit the road to face Durham on Sept. 15 before returning home to square off against Colusa on Sept. 17.
Maxwell 3 – Los Molinos 0 (9/8)
Maxwell 1 – Live Oak 3 (9/10)
After a sweep of the Bulldogs, Maxwell dropped its second match last week in Live Oak by scores of 22-25, 20-25, 25-18, 21-25.
No other information was made available.
The Panthers (19-5) concluded preseason play in Upper Lake on Sept. 15.