KELSEYVILLE >> The Kelseyville Knights are returning to the quarterfinal round of the North Coast Section Division IV volleyball playoffs after making quick work of the Fortuna Huskies 25-15, 25-6, 25-19 in first-round action on Wednesday evening at Kelseyville High School.
It’s the third year in a row the two-time defending North Central League I champions have advanced past the first round. They’ll hit the road Saturday to play No. 3 seed St. Joseph Notre Dame of Alameda (26-9). The winner advances to the semifinal round next Wednesday.
Kelseyville (25-5) is looking for its first quarterfinal-round victory under current head coach Donelle McCallister. The Knights won the Division IV championship in 2001 under former head coach Larry Bresso.
While McCallister said the Pilots are a worthy quarterfinal-round opponent, the last thing she’ll ever do is sell this season’s Knights short.
“They work well together, have good chemistry and are unselfish,” McCallister said. “They played really well tonight. My time works hard all the time.”
Carli Mendonca, Lauren Rudnick and Allison Bryant had seven kills apiece to lead the Knights and setter Riley Goff spread the ball around to her hitters to the tune of 28 assists. Kelseyville also received solid back-row play from Rudnick, Tymeka Green, Kaylie Williams and Payton Conrad, according to McCallister.
“They didn’t let much fall,” McCallister said.
St. Joseph Notre Dame beat St. Helena 25-10, 25-19, 25-9 in another first-round match on Wednesday.
