UPPER LAKE >> Marci Psalmonds said she didn’t know how her mostly young Clear Lake High School varsity volleyball squad would react to being down two sets to one to the Upper Lake Cougars on Thursday night during a non-league match at Upper Lake.
Her players provided the answer. Clear Lake rallied for a 25-13, 21-25, 13-25, 25-19, 15-13 victory in its season debut, led by 18 kills, five blocks and six aces from Kiana Richardson.
“I have to give Upper Lake props, they did a good job,” Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds said. “It’s probably the best Upper Lake team I’ve seen since I’ve been coaching at Clear Lake.”
“I appreciate that,” Upper Lake coach Raelene Cromwell said when told of Psalmonds’ praise for her 2016 squad. “They accomplished what they wanted tonight … it could have gone either way. The girls played together and are believing in one another. I’m proud of them.”
Richardson had plenty of help as the Cardinals pulled out the victory and dropped Upper Lake to 1-1 on the season. Valerie Hutton had eight kills, five blocks and seven aces, Camille Donald anchored the defense with 12 digs, libero Madi Ferguson added nine digs, and sophomore setter Kylie Udy had 29 assists in her varsity debut.
Christina Wilson’s 10 kills and 16 digs powered the Cougars, Kejhana Taylor added eight kills and six digs, and Natalie Karlsson and Brenna Sanchez each had five kills.
In the junior varsity match Thursday, Upper Lake defeated Clear Lake in straight sets, 25-18, 25-17. Maria Wade served nine points for the Cougars (1-1) in the first game and Alyssa Navarro had seven in the second game.
According to Upper Lake coach Dani Paige Gudmundson Pena, every Upper Lake starter served at least three points in a row at some point of the match.
Shaelyn McIntire led Clear Lake with five aces.
