The California Pintos volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season after falling to the Blair Oaks Falcons 25-18, 25-23, Sept. 13.
California (10-1-1) won the first point of the game, but quickly found themselves down 4-1 in the opening set. The teams traded points and California was able to cut the lead down to 6-5. But Blair Oaks (11-0-1) pulled away, after winning six of the next seven points to make it a 12-6 game.
The Pintos soon found themselves down 16-10, but the team fought back to make it a 19-16 game after they won six of the next nine points. Blair Oaks called a timeout after the Pintos won the point to make it 19-16, after a particularly long rally that caused the Pintos' fans to get loud.
However, Blair Oaks would respond by winning six out of the last eight points to win the first set.
At the start of the second set, the Pintos won the first three points to take a 3-0, but they could not pull away from Blair Oaks, as both teams battled to make it an 8-6 game with California in the lead. The Pintos created a little more of a cushion, as they made it a 10-6 game. But, Blair Oaks outscored California 11-6 soon to take a 17-16 lead.
California soon found themselves trailing 20-17. The rest of the set continued to be close, as California was able to get it down to a two-point deficit at 22-20, after which Blair Oaks called a timeout. After the break, California won three of the next five points to make it a one-point game at 24-23 game. However after a one last, long rally, the Falcons were able to win the second set, after the Pintos were unable to return a hard hit kill in the final point.
Hailey Cain led the team with six kills. Paige Lamm and Quinn Albertson recorded five kills apiece. Makayla Schanzmeyer led the team with two blocks. Grace Henley and Gracie George each totaled a team-high nine assists.
Head coach Julie Bailey said the Falcons' hitting ability caused some problems for the Pintos.
"We were having a hard time getting the timing down on their quick sets in order to block," Bailey said. "Our block was late, which made it difficult for our defense and we had a tough time handling their line shots."
Bailey said the team can take away the fact they didn't give up.
"We had been struggling a lot in the second set and, even after losing the first set, we came out in the second set on top and had the lead," Bailey said. "We still continued to play, even though they were fighting back.
"The fact that we came out strong in the second set after losing is good."