Annual clash of rivals will set for Sept. 6 in Sebastopol
A long-standing rivalry will be renewed this Thursday, Sept. 6, when the El Molino volleyball team invades Analy in the annual “Apple Match.”
Three matches will be contested, with the freshmen kicking off the action at 4 p.m., immediately followed by the JV and varsity at 5 and 6 p.m.
Although realignment has moved the teams to different divisions in the newly configured North Bay League, both programs were eager to continue a match that still has meaning for players, coaches and fans.
“Since we’ve always had such a strong rivalry against Analy, we couldn’t just let the Apple Game die. There is too much tradition there,” El Mo coach Becky Sani said.
Both teams resumed pre-league action last week, with the Lions notching straight set home wins over St. Helena and Lower Lake, while the Tigers dropped a five-set thriller at former league rival Sonoma Valley.
Lions breeze past opponents
El Mo (10-5) made short work of visiting St. Helena on Aug. 28, powering past the Saints in straight sets: 25-12, 25-23, 25-18. Statistical leaders for the Lions included Sasha Senal (10 kills, 2 aces, 15 digs), Grace McCormick (6 kills, 16 assists, 3 blocks), Kassidy Sani (10 kills, 20 digs, 6 assists, 5 aces) and Grace Anderson (3 aces, 25 digs, 6 assists).
The Lions played host to Lower Lake two nights later, easily dispatching the Trojans: 25-15, 25-12, 25-16. Turning in strong efforts were Senal (9 kills), McCormick (6 kills, 3 blocks, 4 aces), Sani (8 aces) and Anderson (17digs).
Tigers fall in thriller
Analy (3-4) traveled to take on perennial power Sonoma Valley in its lone match on Aug. 30, as the Dragons clawed back from a two-set deficit to win in five games: 17-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25–17, 15-10.
Senior outside hitter Claire Rudderow led the Tigers with 14 kills, 4 aces and 21 digs.
“Sonoma played a very good match, and they always a get a good crowd of fans, which can make it a tough place to play,” Analy coach Holly Folendorf said. “It’s always good competition.”
