The California High School volleyball teams were on the road Thursday night for their first matches of the 2014 season where the varsity lost 15-25 and 18-25 to Boonville.
"We struggled defensively against Boonville," California Head Coach Julie Bailey said. "Our hitters need to get the ball more so we are able to take advantage of our power. Paige Halsey, Adrienne Strickfaden and Cameron Meyer need to get more sets."
Strickfaden had five kills and four digs for the Lady Pintos. Meyer had seven digs and two kills. Kayla Allison had six digs, and Emma Bailey had six assists, four digs and one kill. Halsey had four blocks and Madilyn Safely had three assists and two aces. Morgan Henley contributed four digs and two aces.
California's JVA defeated the Lady Pirates 25-15 and 27-25. Ellie Wirts had six digs, two kills and two aces for the Lady Pintos. Brittney Ellington had five digs and one kill, and Brooke Lage had two kills, three aces and one dig.
"The JVA played great," California Coach Sarah Hays said. "They are communicating and working together as a team. When Boonville came back to tie us at 25-25 in the second set, the girls didn't quit and they fought back to win."
Leanna Reichl had 10 digs, three aces and one assist for California, while Monica Whitson had five digs and three assists and Carlie Bleich had three digs and two assists.
The JVB Lady Pintos played two sets, winning the first 25-22, and losing the second 12-25.
"For our first match, I felt the girls came out strong," California Coach Maggie Long said regarding the JVB match. "We've seen huge improvements from the beginning of summer to now. I'm looking forward to a successful season."
Maria Lemus had one ace, two digs, one kill, and one assist for California's JVB. Caitlin Halsey had two kills and one assist. Taylor Geiser had three digs and Addison Embry had one block.
California will host Eldon at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4.