LAKEPORT >> Three sets is all the Clear Lake Cardinals needed in their season opener to dispatch the Upper Lake Cougars in a non-league varsity volleyball match on Tuesday in Lakeport.
Clear Lake beat Upper Lake 25-11, 27-25, 25-16, dropping the Cougars to 0-2 on the season.
While it took the first two sets for the Cardinals to shake their first-match jitters, they were dominating the Cougars by the third set, according to Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds.
“They were a little nervous the first two games but they took off after that,” Psalmonds said.
Setter Emily Psalmonds and outside hitter Rachel Wingler, both seniors, powered the Cardinals. Psalmonds finished with 29 assists and eight digs to go along with four aces.
Her floating jump serve accounted for 10 straight points in the third set. Wingler led the team with 13 kills on only 17 arm swings. She added four digs and three aces.
The defense played by Eloisa Morfin and Alicia Ledesma also stood out, according to Psalmonds.
Upper Lake leaders were Natalie Karlsson with nine digs and 10 service points, Christina Wilson with 14 digs, four points, two aces and two kills, Brenna Sanchez with three kills and nine points, and Dakota Fugate with two kills and two blocks.
In other action Tuesday:
M’town def. El Molino
At Middletown, the Middletown Mustangs teed off on El Molino up front, beating the Lions 25-20, 25-15, 25-20 behind 10 kills and four blocks from right-side hitter Jess DeSilva, seven kills and five aces from middle hitter Emily Lescher, six kills and four aces from left-side hitter Abby Aden, and four kills and three blocks from new middle hitter Tana Bouscal.
“We hit the ball better than I expected,” Middletown coach Jennifer Breiner said. “We passed the ball really well, which made it easier on our new setters.”
Jordan Ketchum led the Mustangs with 15 digs and together with Chelsea Tom fueled the offense with their passing.
“Her passing was crucial,” Breiner said of Tom. “Hers and Jordan’s.”
Girls’ soccer
Ukiah 3, Middletown 1
At Ukiah, the Middletown Mustangs briefly took a 1-0 lead before falling to the Ukiah Wildcats in non-league action. While the loss drops Middletown to 1-2 on the season, Middletown coach Amy Emerson said playing a tough preseason schedule will benefit the team once it reaches North Central League I play later this month.
“They were the only team that beat us in the preseason a year ago,” Emerson said of the Wildcats, who defeated the Mustangs 6-2 at Middletown last season.
“It was a fun game to watch and really challenging for our girls, which is what we want,” Emerson said. “I feel like every game we’re getting better and are right where we need to be before league starts.”
Alves rebounded her own miss, a shot off the frame, and knocked it back into the net to give Midldetown a 1-0 lead. Ukiah answered with two goals later in the half to make it 2-1 by halftime.
Emerson gave high marks to keeper Lucy Schisler, who logged several saves.
“She saved shot after shot,” Emerson said.
Boys’ soccer
El Molino 2, Lower Lake 1
At Lower Lake, Efrain Santana’s free kick late in the first half cut El Molino’s lead to 2-1, but the Lower Lake Trojans couldn’t generate any offense in the second half and fell to the Lions in non-league varsity boys’ action.
Both teams did all of their scoring in the first half.
“We had some good individual efforts but as a team we have to gel more,” Lower Lake coach Dan Griffin said of his offense and several missed opportunities where one more pass might have made a difference. “We need to do a better job. The offense is still a little out of sync.”
Lower Lake (0-2) received strong play on the defensive end from Victor Gallegos and Jesus Bravo, according to Griffin.
JV volleyball
Clear Lake def. Upper Lake
At Lakeport, Corin Alakszay’s four kills helped the Clear Lake Cardinals win their season opener against Upper Lake 25-20, 25-17.
“We had some moments of strength and some moments of ‘oh yeah, we need to improve,’” Clear Lake coach Jenn Scheel said.
