First league loss drops Jaguars into a tie for top spot
The Windsor High School varsity volleyballers fell from the ranks of the North Bay League unbeaten on Oct. 6, falling to defending NBL champion Maria Carrillo in four sets.
The loss, coming on the heels of a three-set win over Rancho Cotate two nights earlier, pushed Windsor’s league mark to 7-1 and 13-3 overall with six dates left on the NBL schedule.
At press time the Jaguars were in a first-place deadlock with Maria Carrillo and one up on second-place Cardinal Newman, more determined than ever to resume the chase for a first-ever NBL title.
“This will only be a bad loss (to Carrillo) if we don’t figure out how to play as a team when times get tough, and how we must come out every match ready to play at our best,” WHS coach Rich Schwarz said. “But these girls are pretty resilient and very quick learners so I have all the faith in the world in them.”
Jags gain league split
The Jaguars continued their winning ways in an Oct. 4 meeting with visiting Rancho Cotate, overcoming an off night to post a win in straight sets; 25-21, 25-22 and 25-17.
“We knew we had a match we should be able to win if we played well so we used it to try some things out,” Schwarz noted. “Although we won in straight sets, we played very poor team volleyball.”
Statistical leaders for the Jags were Destiny Clark (7 kills), Cheloy Gonzalez (6 kills), Elena Dyer (5 kills, 3 blocks), Lindsay Tucker (13 service points) Bridget Aikawa 20 assists) and Kaitlyn Alger (12 assists).
The Jaguars knew they’d need to step up their game considerably to record a season sweep over host Maria Carrillo, but the Pumas would seize early momentum en route to a win in four sets; 25-15, 20-25, 25-22, 25-15.
“The Pumas are always a tough match and after defeating them three weeks ago, we knew we’d have to be at the top of our game again to pull off another win,” Schwarz said.
Despite the loss, outstanding performances were turned in by Allison Post (19 kills, 13 digs, 3 aces), Aikawa (36 assists), Yessenia Sanchez (7 kills), Brittany Johnson (5 kills, 3 blocks) and Kylie Benjamin (16 digs, 2 aces).
The Jaguars will resume league play on Oct. 11 (after press time) against visiting Ukiah, followed by a Thursday, Oct. 13 trip to Santa Rosa.
Match times starting with the frosh are 4/5/6:30 p.m.
