LAKEPORT >> Two of the top middle hitters in the North Central League I squared off Tuesday night in Lakeport as the Clear Lake Cardinals, led by senior Aliza Atkins, hosted the Middletown Mustangs, led by Renee Edwards, in the Cardinals” final regular-season home match.
Both teams carried 6-6 records into play and it was the Mustangs who emerged with a marathon 21-25, 25-19, 25-20, 22-25, 15-7 victory. Clear Lake won the first league meeting last month in Middletown, also decided in five sets.
“She played well tonight,” Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds said of Edwards. “She blocked us good.”
Edwards also made her mark at the service line in the fifth game, reeling off eight straight points to turn a 6-6 tie into a commanding 14-6 Middletown lead. Edwards finished the match with 13 kills, seven aces — five of those in the fifth set — seven blocks and 20 digs.
“The whole match went back and forth,” Middletown coach Jennifer Breiner said. “The girls had a lot of fun. Both teams did a good job.”
Other Middletown leaders were Ginacia Dusatko and Abby Aden with six kills apiece, Jess DeSilva with three kills and three blocks, Emily Lescher with six blocks and libero Jordan Ketchum with 22 digs.
Atkins led the Cardinals with 14 kills, four blocks and 16 digs. Setter Emily Psalmonds added 26 assists, two aces and six digs, Kiana Richardson had eight kills, two blocks and two aces, and Rachel Wingler contributed six digs.
“Rachel had a really good all-around night,” Psalmonds said.
Clear Lake honored its two seniors, Atkins and teammate Logan Robinson, prior to the start of the mtach.
Both squads wrap up their league campaigns on Thursday. Clear Lake travels to Fort Bragg while Middletown hosts Lower Lake.
In junior varsity action Tuesday, Clear Lake clinched no worse than a tie for the league championship with a 25-18, 27-25, 15-10 win over Middletown. Valerie Hutton led the Cardinals with seven kills and two aces. Camille Donald had three kills.
