MIDDLETOWN >> Kelseyville High School’s varsity volleyball team overpowered its competition en route to winning the Middletown Tournament on Saturday at Middletown High School.
The defending co-North Central League I champions, who return nearly their entire roster from last year’s squad, won all seven of their matches, six of them in straight sets. After going 5-0 in pool play, the Knights beat El Molino of Forestville 25-21, 21-25, 15-8 in the semifinals before knocking off Middletown 25-7, 25-17 in the championship match.
“It was a good tournament, all the girls played a lot,” said Kelseyville coach Donelle McCallister, who pulled starters in a handful of matches to keep things from becoming too lopsided.
Among the standouts for Kelseyville was junior setter Paige Bour, who racked up 79 assists.
“She’s a sleeper,” McCallister said. “I really like her.”
Allison Bryant racked up 55 kills and eight blocks despite not play the entire tournament, Grace Davidson finished with 44 kills, and libero Payton Conrad had 81 digs.
“Grace did a great job for us all the way around,” McCallister said. “But all my girls played well.”
El Molino pushed the Knights the hardest during the tournament, especially in the semifinal meeting, according to McCallister.
“They’ve got some fantastic hitters,” McAllister said of the Lions, who compete in the Sonoma County League.
McAllister had high praise for Middletown coach and tournament director Vanessa Davis for putting on a good tournament.
“Vanessa did a great job of running the tournament,” McCallister said. “Our girls had fun.”
Middletown reached the finals in the pool opposite Kelseyville’s, beating Lower Lake 19-25, 25-7, 15-11, Willits 25-18, 19-25, 15-8, Roseland Collegiate Prep 25-16, 25-20 and Fort Bragg 25-18, 22-25, 15-11 and losing to Mendocino 25-19, 25-19.
The Mustangs earned another shot against Mendocino in the semifinals and came through with a 22-25, 25-17, 15-12 victory.
“We played hard and did a better job covering around Abi (Hibner), who they were hitting around,” Davis said. “She had only one block in the match but she did have 11 kills.”
Taylor Griffin added eight kills in the rematch with Mendocino while Abbey Brown had five.
In the championship against Kelseyville, the Knights dominated the first set although Middletown played better in set two after switching to a 6-2 formation, according to Davis.
“We blocked better,” she said. “Kelseyville is an amazing team. They hit the ball hard, they’re great passes and servers, and they don’t make many mistakes. I think we’ll play them tougher when we get to league.”
Middletown returns to action Tuesday at home against Rancho Cotate High School. Kelseyville is off until its Sept. 4 league opener at Lower Lake High School.
