FORT BRAGG ? Katherine Edmonds led the way with 15 kills and five blocks as the Upper Lake Cougars opened the season with a 25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 20-25, 15-6 win over the Fort Bragg Timberwolves in non-league varsity volleyball action Thursday night in Fort Bragg.
After winning each of the first two games, the Cougars (1-0) struggled to get their serves into play in games three and four and lost both.
“We missed 11 or 12 serves in those two games,” Upper Lake coach Sandy Coatney said.
Upper Lake used a more conservative approach to win game five.
“I just told them to put it in play and see what happens,” Coatney said.
Bobbielynn Collins had 13 kills for the Cougars while setter Kelsey Pearl had 23 assists. Crystal Mendoza added 12 digs from the back row.
In other action Thursday:
Middletown def. PUC
At Angwin, the Middletown Mustangs notched their first win of the season with a 25-14, 25-15, 25-6 victory over Pacific Union in non-league action.
Krystina Riccio led the Mustangs (1-1) with 11 aces and 10 assists. Nika Gibbs also had a big night at the service line with 10 aces.
Middletown coach Suzanne Riccio said the Mustangs tightened up their defense after dropping a 25-19, 24-26, 25-18, 25-21 decision to St. Vincent in their season opener on Tuesday.
“There were things we needed to work on and we did,” Riccio said.
There was no JV match on Thursday. Middletown”s JVs did beat St. Vincent 25-20, 25-20.
Anderson Valley def. Clear Lake
At Boonville, the Clear Lake Cardinals kept pounding the ball at the Anderson Valley defense, but the Panthers were up to the challenge, winning 25-16, 25-10, 25-15.
“Best team I”ve seen them put together,” Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds said of an Anderson Valley program that has fielded many fine teams in the past.
“We were being so aggressive, hitting the ball so hard ? it was unreal. They returned everything,” Psalmonds said.
Clear Lake (0-1) had 114 attempts at the net in its season opener only to be frustrated time and time again by Anderson Valley”s defense.
“They picked every stinking ball up,” Psalmonds said.
Clear Lake also played solid defense, according to Psalmonds, but the patient Panthers simply wore the Cardinals down.
“The girls played great, I can”t be unhappy with them,” Psalmonds said. “We did everything we could.”
Jessica Asbury”s eight kills paced Clear Lake and Anna Westin had seven in her varsity debut. Haley Garzoli added three kills despite many quality arm swings, according to Psalmonds.
Setter Morgan Psalmonds gave everyone a chance up front for Clear Lake while recording 22 assists.
