LAKEPORT — Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds didn”t realize what all the fuss was about, at least not at first.
“They told me, ?This is a big rivalry,”” Psalmonds said of the answer she received from her players after inquiring about why they were so fidgety going into Thursday”s non-league varsity volleyball contest against the Kelseyville Knights.
“Now I understand a little better,” said the longtime Upper Lake varsity coach who is in her first season with the Cardinals. “Their anxiety was a little high the first game, but they settled down after that.”
Clear Lake defeated Kelseyville 25-15, 25-22, 21-25, 25-23 to improve to 2-0 on the season. It was the season opener for the Knights and new coach Deanna Goff, who was without setter Kristina Swenston (dislocated knee).
“I think we”re going to pull it together,” Goff said of her reaction to the Knights” initial match of the 2007 campaign. “There”s hope there,” Goff added of her young squad.
Jesse Sondag pounded out 11 kills and Danielle Howard had eight kills and 13 service points to lead the Cardinals. Psalmonds also received solid play from Calire Mansell (16 points, 12 assists) and Nicole Wells, who came off the bench to play in the back row and recorded 12 points and six digs.
“She came in and played great,” Psalmonds said.
Kirsten Wascom also had five kills and three blocks for Clear Lake.
For the Knights, Kaitlyn Goff led the way with seven kills and two blocks, Casey Bowlin added six kills and Maille McCallister had three aces.
“They were good, I was impressed with them,” Goff said of the Cardinals.
