FORT BRAGG >> She didn’t have any statskeepers and two of her players were missing, but Upper Lake High School varsity volleyball coach Raelene Cromwell didn’t let that spoil her Tuesday night as the Cougars battled the Fort Bragg Timberwolves in a non-league match on the Mendocino County coast.
Upper Lake made due with the eight players it did suit up against the Timberwolves while rallying for a 25-17, 24-26, 16-25, 25-19, 15-13 victory.
Ashley Aceves filled in for missing starter Brenna Sanchez and it was her blocking, along with strong net play from teammates Kejhana Taylor and Dakota Fugate, that helped the Cougars win for the fourth time in five matches this season.
“I think our blockers made the difference,” Cromwell said of Aceves, Taylor and Fugate. “It made a big difference.”
It’s the second time the Cougars have been pushed to five sets by an opponent this season – they lost in five to Clear Lake in their home opener on Aug. 25, their only loss to date.
“It was a nice battle,” Cromwell said. “It was a tough match.”
Fort Bragg did win the junior varsity match 25-20, 25-20.
Upper Lake’s teams return to action Thursday in Middletown beginning with the JV match at 5 p.m.
In other vollebyall action Tuesday:
RVC def. Lower Lake
At Lower Lake, Lower Lake won the first set but Rincon Valley Christian rallied for a 22-25, 25-18, 25-22, 26-24 win in non-league action.
Lower Lake coach Darcie Schmidt said she was pleased with the Trojans’ play in their first match of the season.
“I am happy with their first effort,” Schmidt said. “It showed us what we need to work on.”
Using a two-setter lineup featuring veteran Bailey DeLong and varsity newcomer Lily Griffin, the Trojans were able to stay close to a Rincon Valley Christian team that beat Clear Lake in three straight last week in Lakeport.
“My girls played well and made a lot of adjustments,” Schmidt said.
Jolean Scarborough led the Trojans with seven kills while Shayna Pike added five kills. At the service line, DeLong registered 15 points, including two aces, and Alisha King had nine points and two aces. Griffin finished with three aces.
Lower Lake hosts Calistoga on Thursday.
Boys’ soccer
Lower Lake 6, Clear Lake 2
At Lower Lake, the Lower Lake Trojans defeated the Clear Lake Cardinals in non-league action. The two teams will meet twice in North Central League I play later this season.
Lower Lake scored three times in each half. Clear Lake’s goals came in the second half on a penalty kick by Jesus Inostroza and a shot by Alex Beare with an assist from Ulices Valencia.
Clear Lake is 1-1 on the season.
“We’ve got some things to work on still,” Clear Lake coach Tony Paskaly said of his team’s second game of the season. “Our skills are fine but we need better endurance and we need to work on our tactical positioning.”
Lower Lake scoring was not reported to the Record-Bee.
Clear Lake returns to action Thursday in Rohnert Park against Credo High School.
