Danielle Good.
MINDEN — Quickness coupled with timely plays at opportune moments on Thursday night were the difference for the Carson High volleyball team in its victory against Douglas in the regular-season finale for both schools.
Carson (7-9 league) took advantage of its quick-hitting offense to take the final two sets of the closely contested Sierra League match, 25-20, 22-25, 25-20, 25-23. The Senators finished fourth in the league and now advance to the Division I Northern Region Tournament next week.
“We’re a quick team and we’ve had to use that athleticism throughout the year,” Carson coach Robert Maw said. “With our quickness, it’s hard for those opposing blockers to match up with us.”
Carson, the Sierra League’s No. 4 seed, will open in the playoffs next Tuesday at Spanish Springs. Maw likes his team’s chances going into the postseason.
“We’re excited to be there and excited about the position we’re in,” Maw said. “There’s no dominant team on either side (Sierra or High Desert), so it’s whoever brings their game this week will go South.”
The regional champion will be the North’s lone representative the following week at the Division I state tournament in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, Douglas ends its season with an 18-17 overall record, 2-14 league in league, and out of the playoff picture. Coach Suzi Townsell was upbeat out of the team’s Senior Night performance.
“At least they went out playing as one,” Townsell said. “It was a great team effort, which was great to see. They should be proud of themselves.”
Savannah Smith and Juliana Anderson delivered 11 kills each to lead the Senators at the net. Five of Smith’s kills came in the fourth set and four of those came from the middle — the last two accounting for leads of 18-16 and 20-19. Kristina Barnum put down a shot from the left side for a 21-20 lead in that fourth set, however, the Tigers were unable to sustain their momentum.
Douglas evened the score at 1-1 after winning a back-and-forth second set that saw the score tied 10 times with six lead changes.
A dig by Shelby Van Winkle set up Barnum for a kill as the Tigers extended their lead to 23-21. Katie McCullough hammered down Van Winkle’s quick set, then McCullough closed it out by directing a block to open space.
“We knew coming in No. 15 (McCullough) was someone we had to deal with,” Maw said. “We wanted to make sure we could find her out there.”
The Senators were effective with their blocks. Danielle Good had a hand in seven blocks and Smith 5.5. Gina Peacock was credited with five kills and five blocks, and Gabrielle Palazzolo had five blocks.
“We were able to find the energy to get the block up,” Maw said. “That was the key.”
Good dished out 35 assists to ignite the offense. Marlenne Quirarte also had fivce kills. Libero Jaycie Roberts led the defense with 14 digs.
For Douglas, Van Winkle finished with a double-double with 12 assists and 12 digs. Barnum also contributed 11 kills and Nikki Hamada had 12 assists.
McCullough finished the night with 6 kills, 3 blocks and 9 service points. Libero Maddy Strauss had 6 service points and 9 digs.
FROSH FOOTBALL
Douglas top CHS
MINDEN — Carson High ended its season with a 3-5 record after dropping a 27-13 decision to Douglas on Thursday afternoon.
Greg Wallace and Jace Keema scored the Carson touchdowns.
Wallace’s TD gave Carson a quick 7-0 lead. Douglas tied the game at 7, and on the ensuing kick-off Carson fumbled the ball into th end zone where Douglas fell on it for a TD and a 14-7 lead. Douglas scored once more before the half for a 21-7 lead.
Keema’s score made it 21-13, but the Tigers added a score late in the fourth quarter. Carson came up empty when it got inside the Douglas 10-yard-line twice.
BOYS SOCCER
Dayton ends with a win
Ryan Greenwalt converted a long through ball from Jorddy Diaz to give the Dust Devils a season-ending 1-0 win over Fernley Thursday afternoon in Dayton.
The goal came in the 56th minute. Dayton ended its season 2-14.
Raul Rojas, Spencer Ruiz and Diaz all were singled out for their defense.
