Jaguars lead by one match with four dates remaining
The Jaguars are in control their own volleyball destiny heading into the final stretch of North Bay League play this week, vaulting into first place with recent wins over Ukiah and Santa Rosa.
At the start of play this week Windsor (9-1, 15-3) was all alone in first place in the NBL standings, one match ahead of defending champion Maria Carrillo (8-2) with four matches left on the schedule. Rounding out the top four teams in the NBL were Cardinal Newman (7-2) and Montgomery (7-3).
At press time the Jags were preparing for a critical two-game road swing, starting with an Oct. 18 visit to Montgomery, followed by a Thursday, Oct. 22 trip to Casa Grande.
Windsor will close out the schedule with home and away dates against Cardinal Newman (Oct. 25, Senior Night) and at Rancho Cotate on Oct. 27. Start times beginning with the frosh are 4/5/6:30 p.m.
The Jaguars won’t have any trouble getting motivated for their final four matches, with a first-ever league crown within their grasp if they can run the table.
“Our next four matches are all going to be tough,” WHS coach Rich Schwarz predicted. “Montgomery just knocked off Maria Carrillo, and Casa, Newman and Rancho are all playing much better this second half.”
Jags win a pair
Windsor played host to visiting Ukiah in an Oct. 11 clash with the Wildcats, and the Jaguars were up to the task in cruising to a relatively easy win in straight sets; 25-16, 25-16 and 25-18.
Senior captain and setter Bridget Aikawa led the way with 17 assists, three kills and two aces. Other outstanding efforts were had by captain and outside hitter Allison Post (13 kills, seven digs) and sophomore middle hitter Elena Dyer (six kills). In addition, senior Lindsay Tucker and junior Celina Sylvester chipped in 10 service points apiece.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better result,” Schwarz noted. “We played well in all three games and it gave us a chance to try some different lineup combinations and get some players a little more game experience.”
The Jags traveled to Santa Rosa two nights later, needing four sets before putting the Panthers away; 25-16, 25-21, 21-25 and 25-14.
Post (26 kills, three blocks, two aces) led the attack, while other standouts included Aikawa (31 assists), sophomore middle hitter Brittany Johnson (six kills, five blocks), junior libero Kylie Benjamin (12 digs, 11 service points, 2.05 serve receive average) and Sylvester (13 service points).
“Although we switched our lineup around in game three to try some different player combinations, I wasn’t pleased with how the girls couldn’t find any rhythm together,” Schwarz said. “We also had very inconsistent hitting throughout the night.”
