OAKLAND >> The Kelseyville Knights watched their season end with a 25-23, 25-14, 25-19 loss to St. Joseph Notre Dame on Saturday evening in the quarterfinal round of the North Coast Section Division IV volleyball playoffs, but no one was faulting Kelseyville’s effort in the match.
Certainly not Kelseyville head coach Donelle McCallister, who said the Knights did all they could to win it.
“It was the best match we’ve played all season,” McCallister said. “The numbers don’t tell the story with us. That 14 (in the second set) sounds horrible but we fought for every point and so did they.”
Long rallies were common in all three sets, according to McCallister, who said the Knights simply didn’t win enough of them.
Using a quick attack, the Knights were able to keep the St. Joseph Notre Dame defense back on its heels at times.
“Low passes, low sets, quick stuff the whole time,” McCallister said.
Kelseyville (25-6) reached the playoffs by winning a second straight undefeated league championship and its third title in four years.
“My seniors played so well and enjoyed one another,” McCallister said. “It’s hard to believe the season is over because it’s like you just figured it out and then there are no more matches left to play.”
Four-year starting setter Riley Goff is one of five seniors on the roster along with Lauren Rudnick, Carli Mendonca, Kaylie Williams and Maddie West.
