El Mo hosts Analy in league opener on Sept. 5
Ready or not, local high school volleyball teams take the court in their respective Sonoma County League openers this week, in what could be the most hotly contested title chase in years.
West County fans won’t have to wait long for their signature match, as El Molino entertains Analy in the SCL tip-off on Tuesday, Sept. 5 in Forestville.
The Lions will be back in action on Thursday, Sept. 7 when they visit Healdsburg, while the Tigers look ahead to a Sept. 12 home date with the Greyhounds.
Tigers log wins
Analy (2-2) is coming off its best week of the season to date, recording a pair of five-set wins over Santa Rosa and Maria Carrillo.
The Tigers opened the two-match home swing on Aug. 30 against visiting Santa Rosa, outlasting a Panthers’ squad in a thriller; 23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 22-25 and 16-14. Statistical leaders were senior outside hitter Ava Ehnes (22 kills, 5 aces, 15 digs), junior outside hitter Claire Rudderow (10 kills, 3 aces, 23 digs), senior libero, Sabrina Stephens (26 digs) and senior defensive specialist Vivi Vigil (22 digs).
The Tigers were back on the court the following night against perennial power Maria Carrillo, overcoming fatigue and a tough Puma front line in notching a five-set win; 20-25, 25-20, 25-12, 23-25 and 15-4. Turning in outstanding performances were Ehnes (20 kills, 19 digs), Rudderow (12 kills), Stephens (16 digs) and senior middle blocker Alexis Dibene (5 kills, 14 digs).
“We had a competitive pre-season schedule and are looking forward to starting league competition against El Molino,” Analy head coach Holly Folendorf reported.
Lions turn back Middletown
El Molino (2-3) had a busy final week of preseason, playing three matches in a four-day period.
The Lions opened the stretch with an Aug. 29 visit to Middletown, easily dispatching the host Mustangs in straight sets; 25-14, 25-18 and 25-20. Senior outside hitter Tiger Berna led the attack with nine kills. Other standouts included sophomore setter/right side hitter Kassidy Sani (3 kills, 4 aces, 15 assists), freshman setter/right side hitter Grace McCormick (5 kills, 9 assists), senior middle hitter Sara Flores (3 kills, 2 aces) and sophomore middle hitter Sasha Senal (5 kills, 3 digs).
The Lions paid a visit to Rancho Cotate on Aug. 31, falling to the Cougars in five electrifying sets; 25-19, 15-25, 19-25, 25-22 and 15-12.
El Mo wrapped up preseason play on Friday against visiting Justin Siena, dropping a three-set match to the Braves; 25-11, 25-14 and 25-22.
