Analy knocks off unbeaten Petaluma to tie for first place
West County high school volleyball teams returned to action this week after a series of cancelled matches due to the fires that delayed or erased multiple games on high school schedules.
The Tigers (8-1, 17-7) made the most of the abbreviated schedule, notching a huge 3-1 win over previously unbeaten Petaluma on Oct. 17. The victory moved Analy into a first-place tie with the Trojans entering the final stretch of the Sonoma County League schedule.
At press time the Tigers were preparing to close out the league campaign with matches against Piner on Oct. 24 (Senior Night), followed by road dates at Sonoma Valley (Oct. 25) and Elsie Allen (Oct. 26). Start times beginning with the frosh are 4/5/6:30 p.m.
The Tigers played host to Petaluma in an epic battle, responding to every Trojans’ surge to eke out a critical win in four sets; 25-19, 20-25, 25-23, 25-19. Statistical leaders included Sabrina Stephens (15 digs, 5 aces), Claire Rudderow (13 digs, 10 kills), Maddie Windsor (13 digs, 15 assists), Jalynn Serpa (10 assists, 6 aces) and Ava Ehnes (17 kills).
The SCL Tournament has been cancelled because of the fires that disrupted high school sports schedules, but the Tigers are a lock to land a high seed when the North Coast Section selection committee meets to fill out the divisional playoff brackets on Oct. 29.
Lions on bubble for NCS playoffs
Meanwhile the Lions (1-9, 5-14) dropped their lone match of the week to visiting Sonoma Valley on Saturday in straight sets; 26-28, 13-25, 18-25.
“They beat us in three games but the first game was the best volleyball my Lions have played all year,” El Mo coach Becky Sani reported. “Sasha Senal played great offensively at middle hitter.”
El Molino will close out the SCL schedule with a pair of matches, starting with an Oct. 25 home clash with Elsie Allen (Senior Night) followed by a Thursday, Oct. 26 visit to Petaluma.
With a win over Elsie Allen, the Lions will have a .500 record within Division 4 and qualify for a possible spot in the upcoming NCS playoffs.
