California's varsity volleyball team played Russellville Monday night in the first round of the Class 2 District 7 Volleyball Tournament at Fatima High School, Westphalia, where the #3 seeded Lady Pintos defeated the #6 seeded Lady Indians 25-5 and 25-8.
"The girls played focused," California Coach Julie Bailey said. "I'm proud of their effort. Sydney's serving was powerful, Paige played great at the net and our setters were spot on."
Sydney Deeken led California with 12 aces, six digs and four kills. Paige Halsey had nine kills and one block. Madilyn Safley had nine assists and one ace. Abby Lueckenotte had eight assists and one dig and Caitlin Meyer had two kills, two digs and two aces. Kayla Allison chipped in with four digs.
Russellville Coach Shelly Korte said, "We went 19-25 in one of the games against the Lady Pintos the last time we played California. I was hoping we would give them more of a game. Good Luck to the Lady Pintos as they move forward."
California advanced to round two of the district tourney against #2 seeded Blair Oaks Tuesday. Results of Tuesday's games, including the championship match, were not available at press time.
Previously, California traveled to Hallsville Oct. 22, where both the varsity and JV captured a win from the Lady Indians.
California's varsity defeated Hallsville 25-21 and 25-14.
"We struggled with our hitting in our first set," Bailey said. "Then the girls got hot and came out strong in the second set and we were able to secure our 20th win."
Deeken had nine kills, seven digs, one block and one ace. Halsey had 11 kills and three blocks, and Lueckenotte had 11 assists, eight digs and one ace. Safley had 10 assists and one ace, and Allison had five digs.
California's JVA won 25-11 and 25-19.
Cassie Dearixon had five digs, seven aces, two kills and one assist for California. Emma Bailey had six kills, eight digs, two assists and two aces. Jasmine Wells had six digs and two kills, while Lindsey Morris contributed 12 digs. Monica Whitson had seven assists, two kills and three aces, and Ellie Wirts chipped in with five digs.