Carson's Cami Larkin hits against Douglas High's Hailey Hughes on Thursday.
MINDEN — The Douglas High volleyball team had its own version of the Fab Five and it was fitting it came on senior night.
Douglas normally doesn’t keep all of its five seniors — Hailey Hughes, Erika Leitenbauer, Sierra Sullivan, Hannah Kyle and Savannah Rasmussen — on the court at the same time for a majority of the match, but it did so on Wednesday night. The end result was the Tigers sweeping Carson 25-20, 25-15, 25-23 on their home floor.
Both Douglas and Carson ended up 3-7 in the Sierra League but the Tigers clinched the No. 4 and final spot from the league into the Northern 4A playoffs based on sweeping the season series against the Senators. Douglas will travel to Reno for a first round playoff match on Tuesday.
“They wanted to stay on the court,” said Douglas coach Suzy Townsell about her seniors.
Carson coach Robert Maw agreed the difference of the match was the Tigers were more disciplined. “I realize we have a young team,” said Maw, but added the mistakes by his team were frustrating.
Maw did praise his three seniors in Shea DeJoseph, a three-year varsity player, Audrey Breeding, and Abby Pradere, a four-year varsity player.
“It’s beena great four years with Abby Pradere,” Maw said, “She’s an amazing player.”
Maw also noted his team was able to upset Manogue, giving the league champion Miners their only loss in league play. But he added about Wednesday, “it’s a disappointing way to end your season.”
Douglas took control at the start, building a 10-3 lead. Rasmussen served for five straight points during the run.
Carson fought back to within 12-11 as Breeding served for five straight points, including an ace that brought the Senators to within 12-11.
But Douglas answered with a 6-1 run to take an 18-12 lead. Carson fought back again as Camryn Quilling’s kill from the back row helped the Senators to pull within 21-20, but the Tigers ended the game on a 4-0 run. Kate Talia served for an ace on game point for Douglas.
The Tigers never were in control in game two after taking a 7-3 lead. Carson pulled to within 8-7 but then Douglas went on an 11-2 run to take a 19-9 lead. Emily Carr eventually came through with a kill on game point for the Tigers.
Game three saw Douglas take a 12-9 lead but freshman Shannen von Duering came on to give Carson a lift, with three kills, helping the Senators tie the game 16-16. Her kill from the back row pulled Carson to within 12-10.
Carson tied the score again 22-22 on Emily Bell’s ace. But Hughes’ ace off the tape of the net gave Douglas a 24-22 lead. The Senators saved one match point before Carr finished off the match with a kill.
“Good play Douglas,” Maw said, “They really focused. They made less errors than we did. They played good, all-around volleyball.”
Huges had nine kills and four blocks, Carr had seven kills, Kyle had five kills, Sullivan had 10 digs, Leitenbauer had nine digs, Fiona Mora had 15 assists and Amanda Hone added eight assists for Douglas. Carissa Willey led Carson with seven kills.
“They did what they were supposed to do and did their job,” Townsell said. “It was just a solid game.”
