Analy and El Mo serve notice for strong fall campaign
High school volleyball kicked into full swing with the start of the Sonoma County League schedule, as the Lions and Tigers each notched wins last week.
The Lions (7-5, 1-1) are coming off a very busy stretch that included a total of eight matches in a four-day period, including participation in the annual Healdsburg Division-4 Tournament.
El Mo had a solid showing, going 4-4 for the week, including tourney wins over Roseland University Prep (2-1) and Middletown (2-0). Losses were to Cardinal Newman (2-0), Piedmont (2-0) and St. Helena (2-1). On Monday, the Lions pulled out an electrifying non-league win over Rancho Cotate (3-2).
In addition, the Lions gained an even split in their first pair of league matches, falling to Healdsburg in a five-game heartbreaker, followed by a relatively easy win in three at Piner.
Lions gain split
El Mo kicked off the SCL season in dramatic fashion on Sept. 6 against visiting Healdsburg, as the teams battled tooth and nail before the Greyhounds pulled out a win in five sets: 28-30, 25-23, 25-20, 20-25, 8-15.
“Each point was a battle,” El Mo coach Becky Sani reported. “Basically it was a battle of defense between two very well matched teams.”
Statistical leaders for the Lions included Tiger Berna (5 kills, 8 digs), Kassidy Sani (6 kills, 26 assists, 2 aces), Jamie Noar (7 kills, 1 block), Sasha Senal (10 kills, 1 ace), Emily Bowers (5 kills, 2 aces) and Torrie Boles (39 digs).
El Mo recorded its first league victory two nights later at Piner, controlling the net and Prospectors to win in straight sets; 25-17, 25-10, 25-17.
“We decided to change up our offense and setters for this game and gave our freshman setter (Kassidy Sani) a chance to hit the ball, and this made a big difference,” coach Becky Sani said. “Senior Gabby Bushgen stepped up to be our other setter and did a great job. Piner hit a lot of soft down balls into the middle of the court and we had no problem handling those,” she added.
Pacing the El Mo attack were Berna (5 kills, 1 block); Kassidy Sani (7 kills, 9 assists, 17 digs, 1 ace), Bushgen (3 kills, 12 assists, 5 digs), Sara Flores (2 kills, 6 digs), Senal (5 kills) and Boles (3 kills, 32 digs).
The Lions were back on the court on Sept. 12 against visiting Rancho Cotate, with the match hotly contested before El Mo outlasted the Cougars in five; 22-25, 25-17, 25-16, 20-25, 15-11.
“This was an exciting match and the fans were going crazy in the fifth game,” Becky Sani reported.
Turning in outstanding matches were Berna (9 kills, 7 digs), Kassidy Sani (6 kills, 14 digs, 16 assists, 4 aces), Bushgen (4 digs, 12 assists), Noar (8 kills), Senal (10 kills), Emily Bowers (3 kills, 12 digs, 8 aces) and Boles (3 kills, 59 digs, 5 aces).
This week the Lions host Elsie Allen on Sept. 13 (after press time) and visit Petaluma on Thursday, Sept. 15. El Mo will entertain Sonoma Valley next Tuesday, Sept. 20 (4/5/6:30 p.m.).
Tigers open league with win
Analy (3-2) played a pair of matches last week, beginning with a Sept. 6 visit to perennial power Maria Carrillo. The Tigers gave the Pumas a great battle before falling in a five-set heartbreaker: 25-21, 25-19, 19-25, 24-26, 13-15.
Pacing the Tigers were Ava Ehnes (8 kills 21 digs), Claire Rudderow (10 kills) and Tallulah Kuula (10 kills).
Analy opened the league campaign at Healdsburg on Sept. 8, fighting off a stubborn Hounds squad to win in four: 25-22, 21-25, 25-17, 25-16.
Statistical leaders for the Tigers were Rudderow (10 kills 4 aces, 16 digs), Ehnes (13 kills), Sabrina Stephens (5 aces), and Julia Bachteal (7 kills, 4 block assists).
Upcoming matches for the Tigers include a home match with Piner on Sept. 13, with a Sept. 15 visit to Elsie Allen. (5/6 p.m.). Analy will host Petaluma in a league showdown on Sept. 20 (4/5/6:30 p.m.).
