The Arcata girls began a big week with a straight sets win over Fortuna on Tuesday night as they continue to set the pace in league play.
The Tigers hosted Fortuna and won 25-11, 25-16, 25-10 to go to 3-0 in the Pacific League, while the Huskies dropped to 0-3.
Also in action on Tuesday night, the Del Norte Warriors travel to McKinleyville and won in straight sets to close out the first half of league play with a 2-2 record.
The Panthers dropped to 1-2.
The victory for the Tigers was their second over a young Fortuna team this month and they have now won six of their last seven matches to go to 11-9 on the season.
A big for the program will continue on Thursday night when they host their annual Pink Night against rival McKinleyville.
After being pushed all the way in a five-sets league win at Del Norte last week, the Arcata girls were pumped up to be playing in front of their home crowd.
“The girls were happy to be playing at home again and played some really clean volleyball,” said Arcata head coach Laurie Griffith, whose team has dropped just two sets in the first three league games.
Despite the loss, the young Huskies continued to make strides in the right direction.
“The team played scrappy, just wasn’t able to finish some wild rallies,” Fortuna head coach Jacqueline Maschmeier said.
Betty Miles continued to make her presence felt for the home team and finished with a team-high 10 kills, while teammate Kyla Kinyon had seven kills and five aces, and Ellie White added six kills.
Karely Ruiz had a big night for the home team and “stepped up her game,” according to Griffith, as the junior setter dished out 32 assists with “some smart setting choices.”
Lilly Stoffers also contributed to the win, finishing with five kills, while Trinity Circosta added eight digs and three aces.
Seniors Addie Collenberg and Graci Elmore made their presence felt for the visitors and held down the defense with some solid digging, with Collenberg also impressing from the service line and adding five aces.
Juniors Leili Guerrero and Sophia Miller also impressed for Fortuna with some good play at the net, while freshman Temperance Torrez led the offense with seven kills.
Another Fortuna freshman, Drew Sturdevant, added five kills and three aces.
The Tigers will turn their attention to Thursday’s big showdown and the opportunity to close out the first half of league play with a perfect 4-0 record.
As well as the Pink Night fundraiser.
“We invite everyone to come watch and support a great cause,” the Arcata coach said.
After the varsity match there will be a serve for prizes game.
The Fortuna girls will try to get their first league win when they travel to play Eureka, also on Thursday night.
