Bishop Diego girls volleyball jumped into first place in the Tri-Valley League with a four-set victory over Foothill Tech on Tuesday inside the Brick House.
The Cardinals got out to a slow start, but quickly bounced back and rattled off three consecutive set wins to end the night, 22-25, 25-21, 27-25, 25-20.
Karina Urzua turned in another big double-double with 30 kills and 25 digs on top of her five aces. Meanwhile, Natalie Chan had 18 kills and 20 digs, Abbie Hubbs tallied 15 digs, Danica Douglas scooped up 12 digs and Abby Walters totaled 52 assists.
Ella Fuentes and Brighton Montag each played key roles in the victory as well. Fuentes ended with four kills and seven digs, while Montag collected 18 digs and two kills.
“Brighton and Ella played very well tonight. I’m so happy for them because they both are smart athletes who are working hard,” Bishop Diego head coach Dillan Bennett said. “Abby Walters is building more trust in them and they are earning more opportunities to score, which will help us in the long run.”
The Cardinals (12-4, 5-1 Tri-Valley League) will clash with Laguna Blanca on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Hope Ranch.
Laguna Blanca 3, Malibu 1
The Owls also shook off a first-set loss to earn a league win on Tuesday, 23-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-13.
“We didn’t play our best tonight but battled and found a way to win, which is important this time of year,” Laguna Blanca head coach Tanner Stevens said. “We knew coming off of class trips and taking five days off, it would not be the cleanest volleyball, but the girls continued to fight and find ways to win long rallies.
“We still have lots to clean up heading into the second half of league (play) but there continue to be lots of bright spots.”
Greta Alldredge hammered down a team-high 14 kills for the Owls, while Lauren Kenny recorded a double-double of 13 kills and 10 digs. Catherine Blabey also had four aces and five digs.
Laguna Blanca will now head into its rivalry match with Bishop Diego on Thursday.
Carpinteria High 3, Hueneme 1
The Warriors took over second place in the Citrus Coast League with road win over Hueneme on Tuesday, 25-19, 25-16, 25-27, 25-19.
“This was hands-down a defensive match,” Carpinteria High head coach Evan Rowbottom said. “The Vikings are a great defensive team, and the fourth set showed it. The crowds were loud, and the energy was high.”
Cora Nimmons had a monster night for the Warriors to the tune of 19 kills and 22 digs, while Leona McLellan had six aces and 13 digs and Evelyn Aviles contributed in 17 digs.
Carpinteria High will host Santa Paula on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Dos Pueblos 3, Rio Mesa 1
The Chargers defended their home court with a four-set win over the Spartans on Tuesday inside Sovine Gym, 25-11, 24-26, 25-23, 25-15.
“This team is really starting to come together and play for one another,” Dos Pueblos coach Emily Curry said. “You can tell they’re celebrating each other and having fun while doing it, and that’s what this really is all about.”
Charlize Welch paced Dos Pueblos with 12 kills and six aces, while Faith Harrison had six kills and both Athena Bardakos and Allie Berrett turned in five apiece.
Emi Newton made one of the plays of the match with a diving save near the bleachers to keep a rally alive in the second set.
“That was a huge momentum changer for us in the second set,” Curry said of Newton’s diving snag. “After that play, the team really started battling back. We had been down by about seven points, and they fought their way back to push the set into overtime.
“I was really proud of the mental discipline they showed to stay in it and keep competing hard, even if the set didn’t go our way.”
Dos Pueblos is now 5-8 overall and 2-0 in Pacific View League action.
