LAKEPORT >> Not all of coach Marci Psalmonds” matches go like this, so the occasional break from four- and five-set workouts is always appreciated.
Behind nine kills from Aliza Atkins and a big night from setter Emily Psalmonds, the Clear Lake Cardinals swept past the Upper Lake Cougars 25-17, 25-19, 25-21 in non-league varsity volleyball action on Thursday evening in Lakeport.
“They”re playing as good as they need to, which I don”t like, but we”re winning, so I can”t complain too much,” Psalmonds said. “I would still like them to have more of that killer instinct.”
In the second meeting this season between the two teams — Clear Lake won in four sets Sept. 4 in Upper Lake — the Cardinals played much better this time around, according to Psalmonds.
“Kiana shut them down in the middle,” she said of freshman middle hitter Kiana Richardson, who wasn”t with the varsity back on Sept. 4. “Kiana made a huge difference.”
Emily Psalmonds finished with 19 assists, 12 service points, five aces, and five digs.
“She did a lot of good stuff tonight,” Psalmonds said of her daughter”s play.
Richardson added five kills and two blocks while Rachel Wingler had four kills.
For the Cougars, Sierra Fugate finished with five kills and a block while LaShaye Taylor also had five kills. Jojo Augustine added eight points, three kills and six digs.
Freshman Brenna Sanchez also had a solid match, according to Upper Lake coach Raelene Cromwell.
Upper Lake did win the junior varsity match, 25-23, 25-21, the Cougars” sixth win against no losses this season.
Natalie Karlsson led the JV Cougars with 11 points, four aces and two kills, Liliana Roman had eight points and one ace, and Christina Wilson led the team with four kills.
