CLOVERDALE >> In a marathon match that went the distance, the Cloverdale Eagles beat the Clear Lake Cardinals 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 29-31, 15-13 in the North Central League I opener for both of these varsity vollleyball teams Tuesday at Cloverdale.
“We were pretty evenly matched,” Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds said. “But they were a passing machine. They played great defense.”
Aliza Atkins led the Cardinals (0-1) with 15 kills but it was outside hitter Logan Robinson who was the player of the game for Clear Lake with eight kills and 17 digs.
“She had a awesome night, the all-around best game of anyone,” Psalmonds said.
Kiana Richardson added nine kills and four blocks and Terra Morin had eight kills.
Clear Lake won the junior varsity match 25-19, 18-25, 16-14 behind 11 points, seven kills, two blocks and two aces from Courtney Hiatt and five kills from Camille Donald.
In other volleyball action Tuesday:
Lower Lake def. Fort Bragg
At Fort Bragg, the Lower Lake Trojans opened league play with a 28-26, 25-17, 25-23 sweep of the Fort Bragg Timberwolves.
Ashlynn Mock was the player of the night for Lower Lake, according to coach Darcie Schmidt.
“She was digging incredibly well in the back row,” Schmidt said.
Mock finished with 12 digs and also had two kills. Jolene Scarborough led the Trojans with five kills and both Brooke Taliaferro and Shelbie Harris added four apiece.
“They all played real well,” Schmidt said.
St. Helena def. Kelseyville
At Kelseyville, the Kelseyville Knights took the first game only to watch the St. Helena Saints storm back for a 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-23 in the league opener for both teams.
Kelseyville, the defending NCL I champion, had a 21-17 lead late in the fourth set but couldn”t get the match into a fifth and deciding set.
“They”re tough,” Kelseyville coach Donelle McCallister said of the Saints, “and they outside hitter is phenomenal. But we played with them. That was the best volleyball we”ve played in a long time.”
Abby McQueen led the Knights with 11 kills and both of the Knights” setters, Mary McCallister and Riley Golf, turned in strong overall performances.
“They were setting, digging, passing and among team leaders in kills,” McCallister said. “Lauren Rudnick also had a huge match on defense.”
Rincon Valley def. Upper Lake
At Santa Rosa, Rincon Valley Christian beat Upper Lake 25-19, 25-15, 25-15 in the NCL II opener for both teams.
“Our girls were really sluggish out there,” Upper Lake coach Raelene Cromwell said.
Sierra Fugate led the Cougars with seven service points and four kills. Crystal Johnson had five points.
Upper Lake”s JVs won 25-20, 25-21 to improve to 7-0 on the season. Daktoa Fugate had 10 points while Briana Binns added eight points, four aces and four digs.
Boys” soccer
K”ville 1, Fort Bragg 1 (tie)
At Kelseyville, Fort Bragg scored off a corner kick in the closing seconds to earn a tie with the Kelseyville Knights in NCL I action.
Both teams are 2-0-1 in the league standings.
“It”s OK, we”re going to play them again,” Kelseyville coach Eduardo Ledesma said.
Until the final-second goal by the Timberwolves, it looked like Victor Cacho”s unassisted first-half goal for Kelseyville would stand up.
The Knights” inability to control the ball at times hurt their chances, according to Ledesma.
“We were not passing well enough,” he said.
Kelseyville is 5-1-1 overall.
St. Helena 5, Middletown 2
At St. Helena, Misael Lopez and Seth Travis scored goals in the second half for Middletown in a league loss to St. Helena.
“Another tough game for us,” Middletown coach Luis Chairez said. “St. Helena is a strong passing team and real fast.”
St. Helena (2-1) led 2-0 at the half.
Jorge Morales assisted on both of Middletown”s goals. His corner kick in the second half set up Travis” goal.
“Overall we made some good plays and we got into their goal,” Chairez said.
Travis, Middletown”s left wing, turned in a strong effort, according to Chairez.
“He played pretty well for us,” Chairez said.
Middletown is 0-3 in league and 0-5 overall.
Girls” soccer
Middletown 3, St. Helena 2
At St. Helena, Middletown”s 3-0 halftime lead stood up as the Mustangs held off the St. Helena Saints in NCL I action. Middletown is now 3-0 in league and 6-1-1 overall.
The first goal of the game also was the shot of the game as Rosie Emerson launched a rocket from midfield that eluded the outstretched arms of the St. Helena keeper. Kaleigh Alves and Madison Ketchum added goals later in the half to make it 3-0.
St. Helena controlled the second half while chipping away at Middletown”s lead.
“We kind of fell apart in the second half,” Middletown coach Amy Emerson said. “We were so well organized in the first half and made some beautiful passes.”
Ashlyn Welton started the game at keeper in place of injured Lucy Schisler (shoulder). Megan Touros also moved over to sweeper, giving the Mustangs” defense a boost.
Holly Montelli”s play at right-mid was another key to the victory, according to Emerson.
“She just did awesome,” Emerson said. “She made some great passes.”
Clear Lake 10, Lower Lake 0
At Lower Lake, the Clear Lake Cardinals breezed past the Lower Trojans in NCL I action, improving to 2-1 in league play and 8-3-1 overall.
“Although a hefty loss, this game gave us the opportunity to see what we can improve upon, what needs to change, and possible new positioning for players,” Lower Lake coach Kali Begley said.
Lower Lake is 0-3 in league and 1-3 overall.
“I think they”re coaches are taking them in the right direction,” Clear Lake coach Paul Larrea said. “Lower Lake is definitely improved.”
Hannah Norwood and Emily Hayes scored three goals apiece for the Cardinals while Shyanne Chapin added a goal and four assists.
“We played well,” Larrea said. “We wanted to execute a lot of things and did.
