COLUSA — Not only did the Middletown Mustangs fail to bring their “A” game to Colusa on Wednesday evening, but their “B” game also was AWOL in a 25-14, 25-14, 25-12 non-league loss to the powerful Redhawks.
Colusa improved to 12-2 on the season, including a sweep of a Clear Lake team that Middletown lost to in four sets on Tuesday night in Middletown. Playing on back-to-back nights may have contributed to the Mustangs’ sluggish play against Colusa, according to head coach Vanessa Davis.
“We gave no effort and they know it,” Davis said of her players. “We were flat, tired from yesterday’s match. We just did not bring energy today.”
The Colusa match was originally scheduled for Aug. 18, the day the Cache Fire broke out in Lower Lake. With the intersection of highways 29 and 53 jammed with Lower Lake residents fleeing the fire zone, the Mustangs had to inform Colusa they couldn’t make it. As a result of the reschedule, the Mustangs now find themselves playing on three straight nights. They return home Thursday to host Kelseyville in a North Central League I match.
“I hope we saved all our energy for that one because we’re going to need it,” Davis said.
There weren’t many highlights in the Colusa loss. Ella Sust led Middletown with three kills while Sophie Smith had two kills and one solo block.
“They were hitting the ball like I expected,” Davis said of the Redhawks. “They’re very quick with their attacks.”
Middletown’s junior varsity squad lost in two sets. Scores were not available.
