WILLITS — The Kelseyville Knights are the North Central League I varsity volleyball champions.
Jeannie Johnson notched eight kills and Kayla Zarate had six aces on Thursday night as the Knights swept the Willits Wolverines 25-12, 25-6, 25-12 in the league finale for both teams at Willits.
Kelseyville (13-1) dropped its NCL I opener to St. Helena on Sept. 24 in St. Helena but never lost again, reeling off 13 consecutive victories in league play.
“It was nice for the girls to get it,” Kelseyville coach Donelle McCallister said of the championship, the school”s first since 2008.
Mary McCallister had 14 digs for the Knights in their title-clinching victory, Riley Goff added 17 assists and Kara Gaylor had three aces.
Kelseyville will learn on Sunday who it is playing in the opening round of next week”s North Coast Section Division IV playoffs. Because the Knights are a league champion, they should open at home.
Kelseyville also won the junior varsity match against Willits, 25-13, 18-25, 15-7.
In other action Thursday:
Middletown def. Lower Lake
At Lower Lake, Middletown closed out its regular season with a 25-14, 25-21, 25-20 victory over the Lower Lake Trojans.
Middletown (11-3) ends up third in the NCL I standings and will apply for an at-large berth in the NCS Division IV playoffs. At-large teams are selected Sunday.
Brianna Ortiz led the Mustangs with 10 aces, 10 digs and nine kills. Renee Edwards added six kills, six blocks and three aces, and Heather Huston had four kills and six digs.
Zobee Miller”s five kills and six blocks paced the Trojans, who finish 2-12. Kayla Meadows added five kills.
Middletown won the JV match 25-23, 18-25, 15-9.
Clear Lake def. Fort Bragg
At Lakeport, the Clear Lake Cardinals beat the Fort Bragg Timberwolves 25-17, 25-23, 25-21 in the league and season finale for both teams.
Aliza Atkins led the Cardinals (6-8), who return all of their starters next season, with 10 kills, seven digs and four aces. Jasmin Rice added five kills, five digs and two aces, Rachel Wingler had six kills, and setter Emily Psalmonds finished with 25 assists and seven digs.
Clear Lake also won the JV match 25-18, 21-25, 15-9 behind six kills from Terra Morin and 11 assists from Emily Omiotek.
Rincon Valley def. Upper Lake
At Upper Lake, Rincon Valley Christian defeated the Upper Lake Cougars 25-12, 25-19, 22-25, 25-12 in the NCL II finale for both teams.
Sierra Fugate”s 10 kills and seven digs led the Cougars. Joleca Augustine added six kills and seven digs while LaShaye Taylor had five kills and five digs.
Upper Lake won the JV match 19-25, 25-11, 15-11 behind Natalie Karlsson”s seven aces and four kills, Kejhana Taylor”s seven kills and Autum Martinez”s five kills.
