Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Tuesday’s match at Eureka.

By Ray Hamill — Senior McKenna Curtis is showing why she is the reigning Big 5 MVP in volleyball with a big performance at Eureka on Tuesday night.

Curtis was on fire in a big league match at Eureka and finished with a game-high 17 kills to lead the Warriors to another straight sets win.

The Del Norte girls won 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 and improved to 3-0 in the Big 5 and 13-4 overall.

The Warriors have yet to drop a set in league play.

Curtis also had two blocks in the win, while teammate Lauren Stutes led the way at the service line and finished with seven aces.

The in-form Breann Winingham continued to impress and finished with eight kills, while Tsinte Steinbruck also had two blocks.

Despite the loss, the Loggers pushed the Warriors in all three sets and were fired up for the challenge.

“We made them work hard for those wins,” head coach Stephanie Napoleon said. “I am so proud of the intensity our girls brought tonight. It was a fun competitive night of volleyball in the Jay Willard (Gymnasium).”

There were several long rallies with both teams battling for every point.

Eureka senior captain Isis Poteet had another big night at the net as she continues her impressive season. Poteet finished with seven kills and five blocks.

Freshman Tiarah Maualuga added three kills and two blocks and also had some big digs.

Anisha Mae Rechelluul also had a good night with 13 assists and four kills, while Samara Gaither finished with four aces and two kills and was “fantastic in the back row,” according to Napoleon.

“It would have been nice to give Del Norte their first loss, but we played our hearts out,” the Eureka coach added.

Next up, on Thursday, the Warriors will have a bye in league play and will host Ferndale in a non-league match, while the Eureka girls will try to get back on track when they play at Arcata. 

In the Little 4, meanwhile, St. Bernard’s defeated South Fork in straight sets on Tuesday.

The Crusaders improved to 8-8 on the season and 3-0 in league play.

And the SB girls won with big contributions from several players, including freshman Brittyn Ikeya, who had a big night at the service line and finished with 13 aces.

Last year’s league MVP Madelyn Shanahan also continued to impress and finished with eight kills, while teammates Rihanna Fontenot, Ella Hart and Jocelyn Sundberg each had three kills.

Setter Sahara Tupua also was instrumental in the win and dished out 21 assists.

Next up, the Crusaders will host Hoopa on Thursday night.

The Arcata Tigers were also in action on Tuesday and lost a non-league match at Trinity in straight sets.

The Tigers, who are now 16-5, will return to league play when they host Eureka on Thursday night.