Junior Ashlyn Oxton had a superior all-around game on Thursday, leading Bishop Diego to a 3-1 girls volleyball win over Providence in the Cardinals’ Gym.
Oxton pounded 12 kills (no errors) with three blocks and nine digs to pace the 25-18, 25-8, 23-25, 25-16 triumph.
Amanda Garcia also came in and made strong impacts from the service line, sparking several long runs for the Cardinals (5-5 overall, 2-0 Frontier League).
“Amy Mancinelli and Emma Coglizer came up from the Junior Varsity team to gain Varsity experience, and made positive strides,” noted Bishop coach Dillan Bennett. “Mancinelli stepped into a setter role, allowing for starting setter Alina Urzua to hit in the front row.
“Ashlyn had her coming-out match tonight. Both Alina and Amy did a great job getting her the ball, and she took big swings. Her hard work in practice is starting to pay off and we’ll need her to play at this level if we want to be successful this year.”
The Cardinals were steady in the first two games. The Patriots won a tight third set, 26-24, on a solo block by Bella Madrigal.
“There was good volleyball played tonight with some competitive rallies throughout the match,” said Providence coach Caitlin Racich. “We came back strong in the third game and ended with a straight down solo block by Bella Madrigal out of the middle. Bishop had a few service runs in the fourth which dictated the pace and kept them ahead.
“Overall our team is playing smoother together and we have improved in many aspects of the game.”
Madrigal led the Patriots with 10 kills and three aces. Liza Coffin added three aces and was consistently strong with her passes.
“Julia Biederman ran down tough plays and pushed hard on defense,” Racich stated. “We will keep working as a team, getting better with each day and practice.”
Providence will battle Dunn and Orcutt on Saturday at Dunn. Bishop Diego will host Santa Clara on Tuesday.