Butte, 8-! in the Golden Valley Conference and already GVC champions defeated the Siskiyous Eagles tonight, in what was an emotional match for both teams. Sophomore appreciation night for Butte, and for Siskiyous, an opportunity to clinch second place and qualify for the Nor Cal Regional Tournament, made for an intriguing evening. Sarah Nichols made it abundantly clear why she was the MVP of the Golden Valley Conference last year and is a shoe-in as the MVP this year. Nichols had her typical offensive production with 24 kills, 3 errors, on 46 attempts. Her hitting average was .456 for the match.
Nichols plays “D” – 30 digs for a three game match! Nichols would not let a ball hit the floor. It was a great exhibition of athletic ability and “endeavoring to persevere”!
Down 20-24 in Game One, Bridgett McClarrinon came off the bench to serve- point - 21-24, Siskiyous calls time out. McClarrinon serves for another point with Nichols getting a kill 22-24, service ace, service ace 24-24, another time out. Auburn Kennedy digs a ball, Tessa Bekendam set Chantal Vanderbilt, kill, point Butte, 25-24. McClarrinon looks to Coach Page, five fingers go up, the serve is deep five, a 1 pass and a free ball. Set #4 (Nichols) and KILL. Butte wins 26-24.
Defensive specialist, sophomore Auburn Kennedy, was the backbone of the team this evening. Kennedy passed a perfect 3.0 for the match, keeping the Roadrunners within striking distance as Siskiyous kept the pressure on the Runners. 8 digs by Kennedy led to three conversions points in crucial junctures in Game One and Game Two. Butte wins Game Two 26-24.
Game Three looked like a blowout. Ahead 24 -14, Siskiyous refused to die. Tough serves and a kill by Camille Miller brought the Eagles to 20-24 before Nichols crushed a ball for set, match and the win.
Butte ends their regular season with a 22-7 record; 9-1 for the Golden Valley Conference. The Sophomores finished their two-year experience at Butte with 51 wins and 11 losses – two GVC titles.
