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St. Bernard’s moved within one win of securing at least a share of this year’s Little 4 championship with a straight sets win at Hoopa on Thursday night.

With the 25-15, 25-16, 25-13 victory, the Crusaders improved to 6-0 and they remain two wins ahead of second-placed Ferndale with three games remaining for each school.

The Ferndale girls were also in action on Thursday and won in straight sets (25-20, 25-18, 25-23) at South Fork to go to 4-2.

Kyla Tupua led the way for the conference leaders with a big performance at Hoopa, finishing with seven kills and multiple digs in the back row.

“Kyle Tupua had a fantastic match,” SB head coach Sejay Sarti said. 

The consistent Makinsey Lemley also continued to impress for the visitors.

“Makinsey Lemley always gives her team great sets,” Sarti added.  “She hustles around the entire floor to provide her team the opportunity to attack.”

The Warriors, who dropped to 1-5 in conference play, were led offensively by Naress Crawford and Wau’Kel Blake, who each finished with three kills.

“Hoopa has powerful hits and serves,” Sarti added. “Their sportsmanship was recognized.”

Crawford and Taelyr Lewis-Tracy each added two aces, while Lewis-Tracy led the Warriors with 10 assists and Luella Cosce finished with a team-high 12 digs.

Sarti also praised the game officials on Officials Appreciation Night.

“SB would like to recognize the hard work each official puts in to be present and call great games for the H-DNL,” she said.

At South Fork, meanwhile, senior Danica Dowd led the Cats with nine kills and seven aces, while Amaya Mathews had five aces.

Abby Gossi impressed at the net and had two blocks, while Fallon Bullon had a team-high 13 digs, Isabelle Ellsmore had 12 digs and Mathews finished with 10 digs.

The Wildcats also enjoyed a big win over neighbors, the Fortuna Huskies, in non-conference action on Wednesday night, rallying from a one-set deficit to win a hard-fought game 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23.

“It was a real nail-biter,” Ferndale head coach Sara Montiel Clark said. “I think a few of my athletes had some of their best games yet.”

Mathews played a key role in the win at middle blocker and finished with a team-best nine kills, while Gossi, a freshman, had six solo blocks, also at middle blocker.

Bullon, who plays libero, also impressed with five aces.

Little 4 conference play continues on Tuesday, with Ferndale hosting St. Bernard’s and Hoopa traveling to South Fork.

A win for the Crusaders would see them clinch the conference championship outright.

The SB girls have not lost a set in their last five L4 games and have dropped just one set in conference play.