Varsity action on the volleyball court saw a split for the Lay Cougars this week. They lost to Valley Oak league contender Sonora and then opened their own league schedule with a victory.
"We did lose to Sonora in four but it was a great match," said coach Teresa Williamson. "I brought up Brooke Silva, a sophomore, brought her up from the JV for that match, she was filling in for Sam Shipley."
The senior Shipley was away working at science camp, and Silva stepped up and played well at the higher level, said Williamson.
Scores against Sonora were 21-25, 28-26, 16-25, 21-25.
Taylor Laugero and Nicole Bianchi had 11 assists each, with 14 kills from Cassidy Caton, two blocks and two aces from Adalia Cajias and 27 digs from Bianchi.
"Our league opener against Riverbank, we started a little slow, beat them 25-19," Williamson said of the first game on the home court Thursday night. They then tightened things up and put away the Lady Bruins in the next two, 25-13, 25-11 to complete the sweep.
"Nicole had 22 assists, Cassidy had 23 kills," Williamson said of strong play by two of her captains.
Krysten Rose also had a solid effort, four blocks and seven aces and Hailey Bush had 20 digs.
"Consistency-wise, we're not quite there yet, but we did play some good volleyball," Williamson said.
Facing off with Sonora to close out their preseason, the JV girls lost to the Wildcats but bounced back nicely to win their first Trans-Valley league contest.
"Sonora has big girls, they kept hitting the balls at us and my defense played well," coach Stephanie Williamson said. "It was really spot on, even though we lost in two, we played very well."
The JV squad was without Brooke Silva for the match, as she was filling in at the varsity level.
"She's usually all over the court for us," said the coach,
The JV squad was also without her for the Thursday league opener with Riverbank but they were able to easily handle the Lady Bruins in straight sets, 25-9, 25-6.
Escalon seized the opportunity to work on their 'game within a game' in that match, using the lead to work on some set plays and jump serves, things that will benefit them as the season moves along.
Both the JV and varsity were scheduled to host Ripon on Tuesday, after The Times went to press and play Orestimba on Thursday.
"We did lose to Sonora in four but it was a great match," said coach Teresa Williamson. "I brought up Brooke Silva, a sophomore, brought her up from the JV for that match, she was filling in for Sam Shipley."
The senior Shipley was away working at science camp, and Silva stepped up and played well at the higher level, said Williamson.
Scores against Sonora were 21-25, 28-26, 16-25, 21-25.
Taylor Laugero and Nicole Bianchi had 11 assists each, with 14 kills from Cassidy Caton, two blocks and two aces from Adalia Cajias and 27 digs from Bianchi.
"Our league opener against Riverbank, we started a little slow, beat them 25-19," Williamson said of the first game on the home court Thursday night. They then tightened things up and put away the Lady Bruins in the next two, 25-13, 25-11 to complete the sweep.
"Nicole had 22 assists, Cassidy had 23 kills," Williamson said of strong play by two of her captains.
Krysten Rose also had a solid effort, four blocks and seven aces and Hailey Bush had 20 digs.
"Consistency-wise, we're not quite there yet, but we did play some good volleyball," Williamson said.
Facing off with Sonora to close out their preseason, the JV girls lost to the Wildcats but bounced back nicely to win their first Trans-Valley league contest.
"Sonora has big girls, they kept hitting the balls at us and my defense played well," coach Stephanie Williamson said. "It was really spot on, even though we lost in two, we played very well."
The JV squad was without Brooke Silva for the match, as she was filling in at the varsity level.
"She's usually all over the court for us," said the coach,
The JV squad was also without her for the Thursday league opener with Riverbank but they were able to easily handle the Lady Bruins in straight sets, 25-9, 25-6.
Escalon seized the opportunity to work on their 'game within a game' in that match, using the lead to work on some set plays and jump serves, things that will benefit them as the season moves along.
Both the JV and varsity were scheduled to host Ripon on Tuesday, after The Times went to press and play Orestimba on Thursday.
