FORT BRAGG — It wasn’t even close.
The Middletown Mustangs blew right through the Fort Bragg Timberwolves on Thursday night in Fort Bragg, winning 25-14, 25-17, 25-22 in a North Central League I match that lifts the Mustangs into sole possession of third place in the league standings.
Fort Bragg’s only loss in the first half of league play was to undefeated Kelseyville. The Timberwolves (6-2) now trail the league-leading Knights (8-0) by two full games.
“We kicked their booties,” Middletown head coach Vanessa Davis said. “There were not many mistakes tonight. I would say this is our best match of the year.”
Middletown (5-3) showed no real weakness in the second meeting between these two teams this season. Abi Hibner controlled the net with 12 kills on only 19 arm swings and 11 solo blocks. She had plenty of help up front from Abbey Brown (six kills, blocks), Bella Dubois (six kills, four blocks) and Taylor Griffin (five kills).
“She controlled and dominated them,” Davis said of Hibner’s solid play. “She was shutting them down.”
Middletown’s two setters, Yasamine Heiday and Alessandra Diaz, logged 14 and 13 assists, respectively, and the passing of Heidary and libero Taeler Roderick was spot on, according to Davis.
“We had it all working,” she said.
In junior varsity action, Middletown dropped its first league match after a 7-0 start as Fort Bragg rallied for a 24-26, 25-5, 15-12 victory.
“I have no clue what happened in that second set,” Middletown coach Nikeedra Davis said. “We played well in the first set and the third set, too. The second game was hard to watch.”
Melissa Conley turned in a strong effort in the back row, according to Davis.
“Great back row play and she also set well for us,” Davis said.
Madison Lamar led the Mustangs with four kills and Conley had two.
Middletown (7-1) hits the road Tuesday to play Willits.
In other volleyball action Thursday:
Kelseyville def. Lower Lake
At Kelseyville, the powerful Kelseyville Knights made easy work of the Lower Lake Trojans, 25-3, 25-9, 25-13, to remain undefeated in NCL I play.
“We played very solid,” Kelseyville coach Donelle McCallister said. “We were consistent all the way through. That’s what we’re looking for.”
Setter Paige Bour had another big night with a team-leading 20 assists and 10 aces. Other team leaders were libero Payton Conrad with 12 digs, Allison Bryant with 13 kills and Grace Davidson with five kills on nine arm swings.
“They are an amazing team with fabulous hitters and passers,” Lower Lake coach Niki Emberson said. “It’s beautiful too watch.”
Jordan Rivera had nine digs for the Trojans (0-8) and Tess Biasotti had three aces.
McCallister addressed the Lower Lake players after the match and asked them to keep their heads up and to keep working hard.
“That was a nice thing for her to do,” Emberson said. “My girls were listening.”
Kelseyville also won the JV match 25-17, 25-12.
St. Helena def. Clear Lake
At Lakeport, there is no tougher player around than Clear Lake’s Shaelyn McIntire, who played every point of the Cardinals’ 25-16, 9-25, 25-16, 25-17 loss to the St. Helena Saints.
McIntire sustained an injury to the fingers on her right hand Tuesday in a league win over Cloverdale and wasn’t expected to play against St. Helena. The junior had other ideas. She taped the middle fingers on her right hand together and hit the court to face the Saints (3-4).
“She was able to hit, serve, do everything,” Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds said. “She’s one tough girl. She has no fear.”
Senior setter Kylie Udy also played the entire match despite a significant toe injury.
“We have big hearts,” Psalmonds said. “I have dedicated players that’s for sure. That’s why I love them so much. My girls are putting it all out there.”
Clear Lake libero Madi Ferguson turned in a strong effort with 22 digs, two aces and two kills while McIntire, black and blue fingers and all, registered six kills, 11 assists, 12 service points and three aces. Other leaders for the Cardinals (4-4) were Emma Boatright with five kills and two blocks and Daijanae Landers with six kills and one block.
Clear Lake did win the JV match 25-14, 25-16 behind two aces, three kills, six digs and nine service points from Hailee Bussard and three aces, three kills and eight digs from Raina Clifton.
“She did very well at the service line which was nice to see because she’s had trouble there,” Clear Lake head coach Morgan Psalmonds said of Bussard.
Clear Lake, now 5-3 in league play, travels to Lower Lake on Tuesday.
Upper Lake def. Tech
At Upper Lake, the Upper Lake Cougars got back into the win column with a 25-12, 25-19, 27-25 victory over Technology in NCL II action.
“I’m really proud of them, they did super,” Upper Lake coach Dani Paige Gudmundson Pena said.
Upper Lake (4-7) received solid hitting from Neveah Solorio, Kaila Willard and Alana Sanchez, three aces and four kills from Alicia Pena in her first match since returning from a back injury, and solid play all the way around from Colleen Poe.
“Usually she subs in for us, but today she started and did a great job,” Gudmundson Pena said of Poe’s five aces and six digs. “She also had some great assists.”
It was the first home win for the Cougars this season.
Upper Lake is back on the road Tuesday to play St. Vincent in Petaluma.
