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The two-time defending Big 5 champions in volleyball will carry some momentum into their 2024 conference opener after edging St. Bernard’s in five sets on Tuesday night.

The Del Norte Warriors traveled to Eureka and came away with a 22-25, 25-10, 25-23, 20-25, 15-9 win.

Bliss Blackburn led the Warriors with a team-high 13 kills and also had a good night serving with nine aces.

Blackburn, who was an all-league honorable mention last fall, added seven digs to cap a good all-around performance.

Tsinte Steinruck also had a good night and finished with eight kills and five digs, as did Carlee Harper, who added eight digs and two aces.

The Warriors, who did not drop a single set on their way to the Big 5 championship a year ago, open conference play at Fortuna on Thursday.

“Some of our returners are coming in strong in the front row, and we’re playing some pretty good defense,” coach Petra Lorenzi said. “As a team going into league we just need to refine a few things, work on our discipline and I think we’re going to have a strong presence coming into conference.”

Lauren Stutes added five kills, five aces and two blocks in Tuesday’s win, while Ariana Stansbury finished with five aces and Melody Brennan had six blocks.

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