Amador Routes Carondelet
Rob Mori - 10/29/2009
PLEASANTON, CA. – Amador Valley (24-7, 12-0 EBAL) continues to dominate the EBAL with another sweep over Carondelet (8-4 EBAL) 25-14, 25-13, 25-19. The Dons were anticipating a tough match against the Cougars, but it took Amador just over an hour to record their seventh consecutive three-set sweep. Amador did a great job serving and passing and senior middle Grace Vickers led the offense with 8 kills while senior middle Jessica Atkins finished with 6 blocks and senior libero Cassie Hahn had 9 digs.

In the first set, junior hitter Rachel Kinnard’s kill gave the Dons a 7-5 lead and Atkins served three points in-a-row to extend the Dons lead to 15-8. A five-point service run by Kinnard opened up a 22-12 lead. Atkins and junior setter Kelsey Williams combined for a block at 24-14 and Williams’ jump serve ace won the set 25-14.

Amador fell behind 7-4 early in the second set, but senior hitter Nikki Baker used her jump serve to run the Cougars for eight points in-a-row. The Dons scored on two kills by Kinnard, two blocks by Atkins and two aces by Baker as the Dons went ahead 16-9. The Dons continued to serve well with junior opposite Becca Malmrose serving four points in-a-row, three on aces, to give the Dons a 22-12 lead. Baker ended the set with a kill as the Dons won 25-13. Amador outscored Carondelet 18-4 to finish the set.

A back row kill by Kinnard gave the Dons a 7-3 lead in the third set and senior opposite Emily Pease had a tip kill for a 9-6 Amador advantage. Carondelet managed to cut the Dons lead to 12-11, but the Dons pulled ahead 16-12 after a kill by Atkins. Kinnard and Baker had back-to-back kills to give Amador a 22-17 lead and the Dons won on a Cougar error, 25-19.

The Dons finish the EBAL at home with matches next week against Granada (10-2 EBAL) and Foothill (7-5 EBAL) as they look ahead to the North Coast Section playoffs. Amador can clinch the EBAL crown with a win on Tuesday.

Stats:
Grace Vickers 8 kills, 4 blocks, 1 ace
Nikki Baker 6 kills, 5 digs, 4 aces
Rachel Kinnard 6 kills, 4 digs, 2 aces
Jessica Atkins 4 kills, 6 blocks, 1 ace
Kelsey Williams 21 assists, 7 digs, 4 blocks, 3 aces
Cassie Hahn 9 digs

T: 1:01

Rob Mori
AV VB