California advances to semifinals; Russellville loses to Eugene

California's Sydney Deeken executes a successful block during the Class 2 District 7 opener Monday night at Russellville. Ready to assist, at right, is Kelsey Roush (15). Photo by April Arnett.

By April Arnett

Originally published October 24, 2012 at 6 a.m., updated October 23, 2012 at 3:39 p.m.

The California High School varsity volleyball team faced Tipton Monday night in first-round action at the Class 2 District 7 Volleyball Tournament at Russellville, where the #3 seeded Lady Pintos

Photo by April Arnett

Caitlin Meyer serves for California during the opening match at the Class 2 District 7 Volleyball Tournament Monday at Russellville. California defeated Tipton 25-21 and 25-9.

defeated the #6 seeded Lady Cardinals 25-21 and 25-9 to advance to semifinals Tuesday against #2 seeded Blair Oaks.

Results for the semifinal matches (California vs. Blair Oaks and Fatima vs. Eugene), as well as the championship match that followed Tuesday, were not available at press time.

In the other opening match Monday, #4 seeded Russellville lost to #5 seeded Eugene.

Photo by April Arnett

Russellville's Kim Hobbs (8) scrambles to get under the ball during the district match against Eugene Monday at Russellville. Ready to assist, from left, are Kennedy Volkart (18) and Kayla Smith (19).

The Lady Indians won the first set 25-20, then lost the next two sets 21-25 and 18-25.

Russellville ends the season 11-9-2.

Photo by April Arnett

Russellville Head Coach Ashley Karle, center, instructs the Lady Indians during a time-out at the Class 2 District 7 opener Monday at Russellville.

Previously in regular season play, the Lady Pintos traveled to Sedalia Oct. 15, where the varsity lost to Smith-Cotton 23-25, 25-21 and 18-25.

Sydney Deeken led California with 16 kills, six blocks, 11 digs and 10 serves including one ace. Abby Lueckenotte had 10 assists, six serves and six digs. Caitlin Meyer had 16 digs, six kills and nine serves including one ace. Taylor Walters had 11 assists and 12 serves. Paige Halsey had six blocks and 10 serves.

Oct. 16 was Senior Night for California, where seniors Leah Davis, Jessica Gammon, Audrey Imhoff and Taylor Walters, along with their parents, were recognized via a special ceremony prior to the varsity home match against Hallsville.

Photo by April Arnett

Senior members of the California High School varsity volleyball team who were recognized at the Senior Night ceremony Oct. 16, prior to the varsity match against Hallsville at CHS, from left, are Taylor Walters, in front of her parents Steve and Julie Walters; Audrey Imhoff, in front of her parents Terry and Rhonda Imhoff; Jessica Gammon, in front of her grandfather Ron Langendoerfer; and Leah Davis, in front of her parents Janice and Dennis Davis. This was the last match of the regular season for the Lady Pintos.

California's varsity defeated the Lady Indians 25-14 and 25-13. Deeken had 10 kills and six blocks. Lueckenotte had eight assists, two digs and five serves. Halsey had four kills, four serves and two digs and Meyer had three kills, 11 serves and four digs. Walters had 12 assists and four serves, and Madilyn Safley had 12 serves including three aces.

California Democrat