BOONVILLE — Sierra Bruch celebrated her 17th birthday in style Tuesday evening as the Clear Lake High School varsity volleyball team continued its red-hot play with a 25-12, 25-17, 25-23 non-league victory over Anderson Valley in Boonville.
Bruch, the Cardinals’ senior setter, registered 31 assists in three games as Clear Lake improved to 7-1 on the season. Since losing their season opener in four sets to powerhouse Colusa earlier this month, the Cardinals have won seven straight matches, all in the minimum number of sets.
“Our offense has been good, but our defense has been just as good,” Clear Lake head coach Marci Psalmonds said. “We have the right mix of players and we’re getting better every game. We have a good core.”
Clear Lake’s coach said the team has also rallied together since junior outside hitter Camrin Pivniska went down with a knee injury during a scrimmage right before the start of the regular season.
“Ever since Camrin got hurt, we’ve stepped it up a level.”
While the veteran Bruch has posted some high assist totals this season, 31 in three sets is excellent, according to Psalmonds.
Clear Lake also had a big night at the net where middle hitter Abby Mertle led the way with 17 kills. Quincy Paarsch (Pivniska’s replacement) added 10 more and Montana Wells had eight.
The Cardinals had a great start in the first set as libero Amber Smart served 10 straight points.
“A nice little float serve,” Psalmonds said of Smart. “We got off to a 10-0 lead.”
After cruising through the first set, the Cardinals began experimenting a bit on offense.
“We wanted to try some new plays,” Psalmonds said.
Anderson Valley responded by picking up its level of play, according to Psalmonds, and the Cardinals had a battle on their hands the rest of the way.
“It was too close for comfort in that third set,” she said.
Clear Lake trailed 22-20 in the third set before rallying to win it.
“We came back and did what we needed to do,” Psalmonds said. “We buckled down.”
Clear Lake also won the junior varsity match, 25-18, 25-16, behind seven service points, six aces and four kills from Halley Escalera, and four points, three aces and four kills from Kaylah Billig. Atiana Patino, Clear Lake’s player of the week, added two aces and was perfect on serve receives.
Clear Lake had to overcome a bit of adversity, including missing six straight serves in the second set.
“Our passing was excellent tonight,” Clear Lake head coach Morgan Psalmonds said. “I’m proud of them.”
Both Clear Lake teams open their North Central League I schedule Thursday at home against Willits.
