Highlanders win crucial Valley match on road

EastCountySports.com staff report

LAKESIDE – The Helix girls volleyball team swept host El Capitan, 28-26, 25-15, 25-21, Tuesday night, and clinched at least a share of the Grossmont Valley League title at 8-0.

Lucy Stronach led the Highlanders with 13 kills, while teammate Vanessa Howard added 11 kills. Janeae White added nine kills for Helix, while Ashley Hagen had 37 assists.

El Capitan (6-2) got nine kills from Megan Gillette and eight kills and 16 digs from Grace Burkett.

Grossmont Hills League

Steele Canyon def. Grossmont 26-24, 25-18, 23-25, 21-25, 15-10 – The Cougars won a crucial thriller to remain alive in the Grossmont Hills chase at 5-2 against a stubborn Foothillers team that played its best league match of the season.

Katelynn Caserma-Kloebe had 14 kills and 32 digs to lead Steele Canyon, while sophomore Julie May added eight kills and four blocks.

Senior Tyler Sinkovich added five aces for the Cougars, while junior Ashley Whipple added seven blocks. Lizzy Bagdasar, a senior, added 22 digs for SC, while sophomore Chloe Gould had 19 digs and 30 assists, as the Cougars finished with a 154 digs as a team. Junior Heather Murphy added 14 assists for Steele Canyon (24-12).

West Hills def. Granite Hills 20-25, 26-24, 25-15, 20-25, 15-10 – West Hills’ Lauren Ledford had 17 kills, while teammate Kyra Galloway added 15 kills. The Wolf Pack’s Samantha Fortin had 51 assists, while teammate Lindsay Campbell added 22 digs.

The Wolf Pack kept their championship hopes alive by improving to 2-1 in the Grossmont Hills League.

Eastern League

Christian def. Mira Mesa 25-15, 25-16, 25-20 – Kills: A. Dunham (C) 13. Assists: Larsen (C) 15.