KELSEYVILLE — Kelseyville”s long and successful season came to an end Thursday night much to the dismay of the Knights and their longtime head coach, Larry Bresso, who closed out a stellar 27-yeard career with a four-game loss to Moreau Catholic of Hayward in the semifinal round of the North Coast Section Division IV volleyball playoffs at Kelseyville.
Moreau Catholic, the No. 3 seed, beat No. 2 Kelseyville 25-14, 16-25, 25-21, 25-13 and will meet No. 1 St. Mary”s of Berkeley in Saturday”s championship round. Both teams will advance to next week”s Northern California playoffs.
While the Knights (32-6) had their moments against the visiting Mariners (25-5), the difference in the match was Moreau Catholic”s serving and defense, according to Bresso.
“Their serving was a real big plus for them and their defense just kept them in it all night,” Bresso said.
The Mariners didn”t hit the ball any better than the Knights at the net, according to Bresso, but they had more opportunities.
“They were running their offense at the net all night,” Bresso said. “It”s not that they hit the ball harder or better, but they had a lot more chances to hit it.”
Another key for Moreau Catholic was Devin Scully, the team”s talented libero.
“Their libero was a big difference in the match,” Bresso said. “She gave them opportunity after opportunity with her digging and passing.”
Katie King”s 18 kills and 10 digs powered the Knights, the North Central League I North regular-season champions. Jamie Stockman and Kaitlyn Goff each had seven kills and Lauren Nixon had five.
Bresso said there was “no chance” he would return for a 28th season even though three players on this year”s squad return, including starter Goff. As much as he loves the sport he”s coached for the better part of three decades at Kelseyville, he says it”s time to go.
“I”m just out of gas,” Bresso said. “I”m going to travel … I”m going to fish, hunt and play lots of golf. And I”m going to watch some of my former athletes play (at the collegiate level).”
The thing he”ll miss the least about coaching?
“All the traveling,” Bresso said.
And the thing he”ll miss the most?
“I”ll miss the kids all the practices and camaraderie,” Bresso said.
