LAKEPORT >> The Kelseyville Knights didn’t play a picture perfect match on Thursday against the Clear Lake Cardinals, but in the end they were a picture of perfection.
Trailing two sets to one and down 23-19 in set four, the Knights rallied to beat the Cardinals 16-25, 25-10, 20-25, 25-23, 15-11 and complete a 14-0 run through the North Central League I varsity volleyball standings.
It sure didn’t come easy.
“Clear Lake was on fire,” Kelseyville coach Donelle McCallister said. “It’s the best I’ve seen them play.”
“They played awesome tonight,” Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds said of the Cardinals (9-5), who were trying to spoil Kelseyville’s perfect league season and appeared well on their way.
One player turned it around for the Knights late in set four and it was their only senior, Heidy Cano.
“She saved our butts,” McCallister said. “She brought us back.”
Cano registered one of her team-leading seven kills to give the Knights a shot of momentum when they needed it most, then she stepped to the service line and served out the set.
On the night, Cano served 19 points with four aces and no errors.
The teams traded point for point early in set five before the Knights pulled out to a 12-7 lead. They were never closer than three points the rest of the way.
Rachel Wingler powered Clear Lake with 24 kills and 28 digs. Maddie West added 13 kills and Jasmine Rice had 10. Emily Psalmonds had 49 assists.
