Plus, scores from around the Foothill League
On the heels of winning eight of their first 10 games to begin the season, the Castaic girls’ volleyball team started the Foothill League season on Tuesday with plenty of momentum.
Following a four-set victory, 18-25, 25-11, 25-14, 25-23, over the Golden Valley Grizzlies, the Coyotes carried that momentum to begin the Foothill League season 1-0.
“I think we needed this to start out [league] season,” Castaic head coach Taylor Schubert said. “I think we’re looking to do the best we’ve ever done at Castaic but we need to start with a win here.”
Although Castaic (9-2, 1-0) entered Tuesday’s game with a five-game winning streak, the Coyotes started the first set trailing the Grizzlies (2-11-3, 0-1).
After the game, Schubert said the first set was just nerves of the first Foothill League game of the season and wasn’t worried about her team’s performance to start.
“I switched up a few things and that seemed to get some energy going,” she said. “We were able to really play from there so that was good.”
Following the first set, the Coyotes started the second with a 14-6 lead that led to the Grizzlies calling a timeout.
After the break, the Coyotes went on an 11-5 scoring run to tie the game back at one set apiece, and gain momentum.
In the third and fourth sets, the Coyotes won by comfortable margins and relied on their attack with the likes of Leyla Buela, Bella Flores and Amelia Conner leading Castaic.
“Leyla and Bella are seniors and really stepping up this year, making differences in what I need,” Schubert said. “I think this is my best year in terms of my core in hitting than I have. So, I keep on working ways to get them home.”
With the win, the Coyotes are winners of their last six games and now look to Thursday for an early-season test against last season’s Foothill League champion West Ranch Wildcats.
Schubert is ready for Thursday’s contest and looks to utilize the early-season momentum.
“It’s huge to get a win right now,” she said. “We’re going to do our best to prepare for next week. We all know who West Ranch is, but we’re going to go compete.”
Thursday’s matchup between the Coyotes and Wildcats is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at West Ranch High School.
As for Golden Valley, the loss dropped the Grizzlies to 2-11-3 overall and they will have a quick turnaround with the team set to play again on Thursday in amatchup against the Centurions.
Thursday’s game between the Centurions and Grizzlies is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at Saugus High School.
After Tuesday’s games, here are other scores from around the Foothill League:
Valencia 3, Hart 1: The Valencia Vikings (3-3, 1-0) secured their first Foothill League win of the season on Tuesday with a four-set road victory, 25-27, 25-16, 25-14, 25-12, over the Hart Hawks (2-7-2, 0-1).
The Vikings return home at Valencia High School Thursday and host the visiting Canyon Cowboys with first serve scheduled for 5 p.m.
The Hawks will look to bounce back next Thursday on the road at Golden Valley High School for a matchup against the Grizzlies with first serve set for 5 p.m.
Saugus 3, Canyon 0: The Saugus Centurions (11-2-1, 1-0) began Foothill League season with a straight-set sweep, 25-18, 25-18, 25-13, Tuesday at home over the Canyon Cowboys (6-4, 0-1).
The Centurions play again on Thursday at Saugus High School and host the visiting Golden Valley Grizzlies with the game set to begin at 5 p.m.
The Cowboys will look to bounce back on the road at Valencia High School in a matchup against the Vikings with first serve set for 5 p.m.
Photos below from Castaic’s win over Golden Valley:
