With a 25-11, 25-9 win over Hallsville on Oct. 11, California's six seniors certainly made a statement in the final game on their home court.
But knowing this senior class has led the Pintos to a 26-5-1 regular season record, it was exactly the kind of lasting impression you'd expect.
"They were really focused on wanting to win this one," California head coach Julie Bailey said. "I know it wasn't our last game, but it was our last home game. It meant a lot to them, so they came out focused."
California came out fast and overpowered the Indians to build up an early seven-point lead. Cameron Meyer gave Hallsville trouble at the net with 12 kills. Fittingly, the first set ended on a Meyer ace.
Strong serving was a major weapon for the Pintos as they tallied 10 aces in the win. Every senior had at least one ace, with Monica Whitson and Cassie Dearixon leading the charge with three apiece.
"We've really been focused on getting our serves in because we've had some unforced errors with serving," Julie Bailey said. "It's been a big focus at practice lately because it's one of my pet peeves."
The second set was much of the same as the first as the Pintos continued to dominate Hallsville. The Indians were held to a single digit point total thanks to good defense in the back by Dearixon, Kayla Allison and Ellie Wirts. Dearixon and Allison each had 11 digs each while Wirts added nine.
Emma Bailey and Whitson made the key passes for California with 12 and eight digs, respectively. Though the Pintos faced Hallsville just three days prior to last Tuesday's match, they didn't have an issue dispatching them easily once again following a 25-21, 25-10 win at the Versailles Tournament.
"I thought we played pretty similarly to what we did at the Versailles Tournament," Julie Bailey said. "It's kind of intimidating and overwhelming coming into someone else's Senior Night, especially when there are six of them."
Though Senior Night happens every season, this year's group in particular has been a staple of the California volleyball program. It's the first group to play under Julie Bailey for all four years and the 26 wins is the highest total yet in her tenure.
"Not only have I been able to coach them, I've been able to watch them grow up," Julie Bailey said. "I always miss my seniors, but this year is a little bit more special."
Pintos down Smith-Cotton in straight sets
A year after being beaten by Smith-Cotton, California traveled to Sedalia and returned the favor on Oct. 10 with a 25-17, 25-18 win.
Meyer and Gracie George led the way with five kills each while Emma Bailey had a team-high eight assists. Defensively, Allison led the Pintos with 15 digs while Dearixon and Wirts had 10 and nine, respectively.
California's JV A won 25-12, 25-13 while the JV B topped the Tigers 25-6, 25-20.