KELSEYVILLE >> All the votes are in now and the Kelseyville Knights are officially unstoppable in the North Central League I ranks after beating the Clear Lake Cardinals 25-18, 25-17, 25-19 to secure the undisputed league championship for the second year in a row and for the third time in four seasons.
In addition to posting back-to-back 14-0 records in league play, the Knights have won 34 straight NCL I matches dating back to 2014. They’ve also beaten Clear Lake nine straight times, their last loss coming in 2012.
The next stop for the Knights and the Cardinals is the North Coast Section Division playoffs and both teams will find out on Sunday who they are playing, when and where. The Knights will most likely open at home because of their status as league champions.
“They just really came together and played a solid, solid match,” Kelseyville coach Donelle McCallister said. “As far as the playoff go, we’ll do the best we can. Our goal every year is to be at the top of our league.”
Kelseyville’s floor captain, setter Riley Goff, led the team with 34 assists.
“Riley runs the show on her side,” Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds said. “She moves the ball around … she’s a great setter. She’s the heart of that team.”
Carli Mendonca also came up big for the Knights with 13 kills and Lauren Rudnick had a team-high 17 digs. McCallister also praised the play of Kaylie Williams.
“She had some key digs in that first set,” McCallister said.
Kiana Richardson’s nine kills and 20 digs led the Cardinals (12-2), who needed a win to secure a league co-championship. Valerie Hutton and Camille Donald added five kills apiece.
Kelseyville’s junior varsity squad beat Clear Lake 25-7, 25-17 to also finish 14-0 in league. Kalee Ellis finished with eight kills and six aces while Paige Bour logged 10 assists, 10 service points and three aces.
