KELSEYVILLE >> Call it the appetizer before the main course.
The Kelseyville Knights improved to 9-0 in the North Central League I varsity volleyball standings on Tuesday with a 25-9, 25-9, 25-21 over the Willits Wolverines (0-8) at Kelseyville High School. Next up, as in tonight in Kelseyville, are the St. Helena Saints (7-1), who the Knights beat last month in St. Helena.
“We’re going to do the best we can,” Kelseyville coach Donelle McCallister said of the rematch with St. Helena, a contest that will either leave both teams in a virtual tie for first place or give the Knights a commanding two-game lead atop the NCL I standings.
Tonight’s match pairs last year’s league champion (St. Helena) against the 2013 champion (Kelseyville).
Against the Wolverines on Tuesday, setter Riley Goff registered 25 assists and eight aces, Carli Mendonca collected a team-best 12 kills, and Heidy Cano added nine kills.
The Knights also received strong passing from freshman libero Payton Conrad.
“She did a wonderful job of passing,” McCallister said.
Kelseyville also won the junior varsity match 25-11, 25-21. Grace Duty led the Knights with three kills and three aces, Emma Larsen had four kills and two digs, Kaleigh Nunn added seven aces and a kill, and Megan Mills had two aces and a kill.
In other volleyball soccer action Tuesday:
Clear Lake def. Fort Bragg
At Fort Bragg, after dropping the first set, the Clear Lake Cardinals dominated the Fort Bragg Timbwervoles, winning 21-25, 25-13, 25-17, 25-10.
Rachel Wingler’s 19 kills powered the Cardinals (5-2). Valerie Hutton added eight kills and three blocks, Maddie West had six kills and two blocks, setter Emily Psalmonds logged 36 assists to go along with five digs and four aces, and Alicia Ledesma had 11 digs and a team-best 20 service points.
“Ledesma did a great job passing the ball,” Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds said.
Clear Lake won the JV match 25-23, 25-23 behind four kills from Kiana Richardson, who also led the Cardinals to a second-place finish Saturday during a tournament in Daly City. Clear Lake went 4-1, losing only to Terra Nova in the gold bracket championship match.
Upper Lake def. Calistoga
At Calistoga, Upper Lake rallied to win the final two sets and beat the Calistoga Wildcats 25-18, 24-26, 20-25, 25-23, 15-3 in NCL II action.
“We pulled it off,” Upper Lake coach Raelene Cromwell said.
Natalie Karlsson had nine kills, a team-best 24 assists and six aces while Christina Wilson led the Cougars with 13 kills. She also had 20 digs and six aces.
Other top players for Upper Lake were Brenna Sanchez with four kills, 12 digs and a team-best seven aces, and Kejhana Taylor with eight kills and 15 digs.
Boys’ soccer
K’ville 1, Cloverdale 1
At Kelseyville, the Cloverdale Eagles weren’t about to let the league-leading Kelseyville Knights get their offense rolling.
“They counterattacked,” Kelseyville coach Eduardo Ledesma said of the Eagles’ pack-it-back strategy on defense. “We didn’t have many shots.”
Or any goals.
Kelseyville took a 1-0 lead early in the second half on a Cloverdale own goal as an Eagles defender accidentally knocked the ball into the net. Cloverdale tied it about five minutes later to earn the draw.
Knights coach Eduardo Ledesma wasn’t exactly thrilled with his team’s latest effort. Asked who played well, Ledesma said, “No one.”
Kelseyville is 7-1-1 in league and 9-1-2 overall.
M’town 1, Fort Bragg 1 (tie)
At Fort Bragg, Middletown and Fort Bragg each scored a goal in the first half of their 1-1 draw.
Jorge Morales’ unassisted goal in the sixth minute staked Middletown to the early lead. Fort Bragg tied it in the 30th minute.
“We had opportunities, but we weren’t able to put it in the back of the net,” Middletown coach Luis Chairez said. “I felt like we played a pretty good game.”
Middletown, 5-2-2 in league play, travels to St. Helena today.
Girls’ soccer
Clear Lake 4, Willits 1
At Willits, Clear Lake rallied from an early 1-0 deficit to beat the Willits Wolverines behind a three-goal performance from Mina Werner. Shayanne Chapin added a goal and two assists.
Clear Lake is now 3-4-3 in the NCL I and 4-11-5 overall.
Leading 2-1 at halftime the Cardinals quickly put the game out of reach by scoring twice in the first five minutes of the second half.
Clear Lake plays at Lower Lake on Thursday before returning home Friday to take on league leader Middletown.
K’ville 2, Cloverdale 1
At Kelseyville, Christina Covarrubias scored 15 minutes into the second half to snap a 1-1 tie and lift the Kelseyville to victory over the Cloverdale Eagles, raising Kelseyville’s record above the .500 mark (4-3-3) in league play.
Both teams scored in the first half. Kelseyville took a 1-0 lead on a Megan Touros goal assisted by Maria Verdugo.
