Teams on the rise in realigned North Bay League
The cream is rising to the top in the newly aligned North Bay League Oak and Redwood divisions, with Analy and El Molino making big moves in the standings in the second week of action.
Analy outlasts Jags, Vikes
The Tigers (3-1, 10-8) scored a pair of huge victories in their most recent matches, recording back-to-back five-set thrillers over Windsor and Montgomery.
Analy began the stretch with a Sept. 25 home clash with the Jaguars, emerging victorious in a five-set marathon: 25-17, 14-25, 25-17, 21-25,
15-5.
Statistical leaders were Claire Rudderow (17 kills, 16 digs), Maddie Windsor (5 aces, 28 assists), Bella Puget (7 kills) and Julia Kruk (6 kills).
It was more of the same two nights later against visiting Montgomery, with the Tigers outlasting the Vikings in five games: 15-25, 25-14, 18-25, 25-14, 16-14.
Pacing the attack were Rudderow (22 kills, 21 digs), Jalynn Serpa (7 kills, 3 aces) and Bree Scott (21 digs).
“Claire (Rudderow) really had an outstanding week for us and was a solid leader on the court,” Tigers’ coach Holly Folendorf said. “Both matches came down to a team effort that got us through the tough matches.”
At press time Analy was just one game back in the loss column to first place Santa Rosa and was preparing to wrap up the first NBL Oak Division round-robin against the visiting Panthers on Oct. 2 (after press time), followed by a Thursday, Oct. 4 home date with Cardinal Newman. The Tigers will entertain Maria Carrillo next Tuesday, Oct. 9. Match times beginning with the frosh are 4 p.m. / 5 p.m. / 6 p.m.
Lions paddle Hounds
El Molino has established itself as the class of the NBL Redwood Division with another two wins, beginning with a Sept. 25 victory at Healdsburg in the annual “Battle for the Paddle.”
The Lions, who lost to the Greyhounds last season, were not to be denied this year as they won in convincing fashion: 25-18, 25-14, 25-20.
“We came out strong and quickly took the lead,” El Mo coach Becky Sani reported. “I was able to get all of my non-starters in the match, and they got a lot of court time. It was nice to bring home the paddle, and our girls gave it to our Principal Matt Dunkle, who proudly hung it on the wall.”
Turning in strong performances for the Lions were Sasha Senal (9 kills, 5 digs), Grace McCormick (5 kills, 20 assists), Kassidy Sani (14 kills, 8 assists, 4 aces) and Grace Anderson (4 aces). The El Mo JV also won in straight sets.
It was all Lions in the Sept. 27 match at Elsie Allen, with El Mo emptying its bench in a three-set romp over the Lobos: 25-13, 25-8, 25-13.
Top scoring leaders for the Lions were Sarah Woolsey (4 aces), Rachel Sierra (3 aces), Alex Foszcz (4 kills), Jackey Martinez (5 aces), Natalie Alberigi (10 digs) and Anderson (3 aces, 15 digs). The El Mo JV won in two sets.
The Lions (4-0, 15-8) were all alone atop the Redwood Division standings, preparing for an Oct. 2 home match with Piner on “Dig Pink Night.”
The Lions will visit Rancho Cotate this Thursday, Oct. 4. Match times for the JV and varsity are 5 and 6 p.m.
