Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Action from Thursday night’s game at St. Bernard’s.

One year after their historic North Coast Section championship season, the St. Bernard’s girls got the Little 5 off to a winning start in volleyball on Thursday night.

The Crusaders welcomed Hoopa to Eureka and won in straight sets, 25-14, 26-24, 25-22.

Several players stood out on what seems to be a deep St. Bernard’s roster this year, and new head coach Rachel Evans was happy with the win but believes there’s still room for improvement.

“It was a good match for us,” she said. “We have much left to work on, however we are playing as a united team.”

Among the standouts for the home team, Makinsey Lemley led the way with nine points served and two aces, as well 26 sets and five assists.

Bailey White also impressed and finished with 26 sets and seven assists.

And she set the tone for her teammates in other ways as well.

“Bailey White really hustled for us tonight,” Evans said. 

Alyssa Boham, who “does an excellent job all-around,” according to her coach, finished with six points by serves, three kills and nine digs.

“We truly have a well-rounded team with a lot of athletic talent,” the head coach added.

The Hoopa girls, meanwhile, battled hard all night and pushed the home team all the way in the final two sets.

Millennia McKindley had a good night for the visitors and finished with a team-high nine kills and four aces.

Maggie Morris also impressed at the net and had six blocks to go with three kills, while Annie Lanning had four kills and Julie Lanning had three kills.

Senior Ivy Lamebear led the way defensively and finished the game with a team-high 15 digs.

Annie Lanning and Harmony Nelson each also had four digs.