LAKEPORT — Fort Bragg swept the season series from Clear Lake a year ago, beating the Cardinals twice in five sets, but if there’s one thing the Cardinals are out to prove through their first 22 matches of the current volleyball season, it’s that it’s not 2021 anymore.
Clear Lake rolled past visiting Fort Bragg 25-9, 25-23, 25-15 on Thursday night in varsity action, improving to 6-1 in the league standings as the Timberwolves fell to 6-2. The Cardinals also won their 20th match overall (they’re 20-2) with more than a month remaining in the season.
“We came out pounding the ball like we did this weekend,” Clear Lake head coach Marci Psalmonds said of Clear Lake’s 6-0 run through the Arcata Tournament on Saturday. “Abby (Mertle) came out thumping the ball and kept going from there.”
While Mertle, a senior middle hitter, dazzled on offense with 12 kills on only 22 arm swings, it was the play of Clear Lake’s defense that stymied Fort Bragg, according to Psalmonds.
“We picked up everything,” Psalmonds said of Clear Lake’s 93 digs. “Our passing was great.”
Every Clear Lake player who took the floor contributed something to Clear Lake’s sixth league victory — all of them in the minimum three sets. Stella Hill had 10 kills, 13 digs and seven service points, Quincy Paarsch added six kills, 19 digs, 11 points and four aces, and Rubi Ford had 12 points and 15 digs.
Setter Sierra Bruch, playing on two heavily taped ankles, also excelled, according to Psalmonds.
“She played great,” Psalmonds said of the senior’s 26 assists and 16 digs. “She was moving around, back to her old self.”
Libero Amber Smart led the team with 25 digs and was excellent on serve receive, according to Psalmonds.
“She had a phenomenal night,” Psalmonds said.
Montana Wells also had three kills and a block.
Fort Bragg won the junior varsity match 25-20, 26-24, handing Clear Lake its second straight loss.
“We played kind of dead,” Clear Lake head coach Morgan Psalmonds said. “I can’t do much if they’re going to play dead.”
Psalmonds said the team’s talent is fine, but something isn’t clicking right now, and she compared her situation to a hand of Gin Rummy.
“I have all the cards I need to go out, but I have no idea how to play it,” Psalmonds said. “One thing works, the next day it doesn’t. I’ve got to figure it out.”
Halley Escalera had four kills and three digs for the Cardinals, Lindee Bingham added two blocks and one kill, and Atiana Patino finished with 12 digs.
Clear Lake’s teams close out the first half of their league schedule Tuesday at Cloverdale.
