The effort was there for Central Valley High School's varsity volleyball team. Oakdale prevailed thanks in large part to its experience.
The defending Valley Oak League champion Mustangs beat the Hawks 25-12, 25-17, 25-8 Thursday night in Ceres.
"They're very sure of themselves," Central Valley coach Debb Causey said when asked about her squad's opponent.
Jackee Lee dished out 17 assists for the Mustangs, who improved to 3-2 in the VOL. Alexis Evans had nine digs. Jaci Powell accumulated six aces. Emily Shepherd tallied six kills. Amy Orlando added one block.
Julie Calderon led the Hawks (0-5) with three assists and one kill. Kaela Causey had three aces. Kayla Lolkus accumulated two digs. Natalie Melton added one block.
"This week was a big turning point," coach Causey said. "The girls get it. The bad habits are finally being broken. The confusion is gone. The confidence is there. We're not going to give up. We have no place to go but up."
The Hawks managed to reach double figures in scoring in two of three games against the Mustangs.
A 7-1 spurt helped Central Valley get within three points in Game Two. Ahead 20-17, Oakdale finished off the Hawks with a 5-0 run.
Central Valley jumped out to a 3-0 lead in Game Three. The Mustangs accounted for 25 of the match's final 30 points to secure the victory.
"The girls actually played really well," coach Causey said. "They were much more fluid. They were scrappy. Compared to last year, this is awesome. I can't be prouder."
Causey believes the Hawks will break into the VOL win column in the immediate future.
"The girls realize it's going to take some time," she said. "Their confidence hasn't gone down. That hasn't been the issue. The thing that kills them is they second-guess themselves. I know they can do it."
Dawgs drop to 1-4 in VOL
The Ceres High varsity volleyball team lost to Sonora and Oakdale in Valley Oak League play last week.
The Bulldogs fell 25-7, 25-15, 25-13 to the Wildcats on Thursday in Sonora.
Sophomore Jode Johnson led Ceres High (1-4) with six digs and two blocks. Chelsea Lomeli had 10 assists. Kaylee Brown tallied seven kills.
The Bulldogs were shut out by the Mustangs, 25-6, 25-8, 25-16, on Tuesday, Sept. 25 in Oakdale.
Brown finished with four kills and two aces. Lomeli had six assists. Johnson contributed one block.
The defending Valley Oak League champion Mustangs beat the Hawks 25-12, 25-17, 25-8 Thursday night in Ceres.
"They're very sure of themselves," Central Valley coach Debb Causey said when asked about her squad's opponent.
Jackee Lee dished out 17 assists for the Mustangs, who improved to 3-2 in the VOL. Alexis Evans had nine digs. Jaci Powell accumulated six aces. Emily Shepherd tallied six kills. Amy Orlando added one block.
Julie Calderon led the Hawks (0-5) with three assists and one kill. Kaela Causey had three aces. Kayla Lolkus accumulated two digs. Natalie Melton added one block.
"This week was a big turning point," coach Causey said. "The girls get it. The bad habits are finally being broken. The confusion is gone. The confidence is there. We're not going to give up. We have no place to go but up."
The Hawks managed to reach double figures in scoring in two of three games against the Mustangs.
A 7-1 spurt helped Central Valley get within three points in Game Two. Ahead 20-17, Oakdale finished off the Hawks with a 5-0 run.
Central Valley jumped out to a 3-0 lead in Game Three. The Mustangs accounted for 25 of the match's final 30 points to secure the victory.
"The girls actually played really well," coach Causey said. "They were much more fluid. They were scrappy. Compared to last year, this is awesome. I can't be prouder."
Causey believes the Hawks will break into the VOL win column in the immediate future.
"The girls realize it's going to take some time," she said. "Their confidence hasn't gone down. That hasn't been the issue. The thing that kills them is they second-guess themselves. I know they can do it."
Dawgs drop to 1-4 in VOL
The Ceres High varsity volleyball team lost to Sonora and Oakdale in Valley Oak League play last week.
The Bulldogs fell 25-7, 25-15, 25-13 to the Wildcats on Thursday in Sonora.
Sophomore Jode Johnson led Ceres High (1-4) with six digs and two blocks. Chelsea Lomeli had 10 assists. Kaylee Brown tallied seven kills.
The Bulldogs were shut out by the Mustangs, 25-6, 25-8, 25-16, on Tuesday, Sept. 25 in Oakdale.
Brown finished with four kills and two aces. Lomeli had six assists. Johnson contributed one block.
