Easterners court success on Tuesday

By Ramon Scott
Updated: August 30, 2017

Valhalla players celebrate a point Tuesday night at Patrick Henry.

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP VOLLEYBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

SAN DIEGO – Valhalla rallied from a 2-games-to-1 deficit to defeat host Patrick Henry in its season-opener Tuesday night.

HAILEY WILSON led the way with 21 kills for the Lady Norsemen, while teammate MAX RAY led in assists with 35, and ZOIE LOPEZ led in digs with 28 for Valhalla, which hosts Bonita Vista on Thursday at 5.

The Lady Norsemen came out strong in game one, 25-14, but in game two, Valhalla fell behind and made a great run, but lost in a close game, 27-25.

Game three was also a battle with Patrick Henry coming away with the victory, 25-23.

In game four, Valhalla battled and played solid to get a commanding lead. Patrick Henry fought back and got closer, but Valhalla pulled away, 25-17

Game five started as a battle with scores going back and forth. Behind tough serving and great defense, Valhalla was able to pull away and secure the victory, 15-8.

GROSSMONT 3, MATER DEI CATHOLIC 0 – The Foothillers swept to the road win, 25-14, 25-14, 25-9, as junior MEGAN COLLANTES has 11 kills and junior MADDIE LEDFORD added nine.

@GHSASB girls VB wins first game of match vs Mater Dei. @ECSportsDotCom pic.twitter.com/35ZuuYNSRt

— Dan Barnes (@drbarnesfam6) August 30, 2017

Senior CECE FRENCH had nine blocks for Grossmont, while junior teammate KENNEDY DIRKES had 27 digs. Junior MAILE SMITH dished out 15 assists.

Grossmont improved to 2-0, including their season-opening sweep at Steele Canyon last Wed.

@GHSASB girls VB beats Mater Dei in 3! pic.twitter.com/Op9yI1d0xI

— Dan Barnes (@drbarnesfam6) August 30, 2017

EL CAJON VALLEY 3, SAN YSIDRO 1 – After dropping the opening game, the Braves improved to 2-1 with the four-game win over the Cougars on the road, 22-25, 28-26, 25-21, 25-23.

The Braves were led by junior AYANNAH WRIGHT and sophomore SOPHIA VELAZQUEZ, while senior teammate ANDREA VELAZQUEZ led the team in serving.

El Cajon Valley hosts O’Farrell Charter on Thursday at 5.

STEELE CANYON 3, BONITA VISTA 1 – The Cougars bounced back after losing the opening game to close out the visiting Barons in four, 23-25, 25-11, 25-15, 25-15.

Senior JULIE MAY had 13 kills, 16 digs and served six aces for Steele Canyon, while junior teammate SOPHIA JOHNSON had eight blocks.

Freshman JOANNA VERDUGO-DEL REAL also added 16 digs for the Cougars, while senior teammate CHLOE GOULD had 28 assists.

Steele Canyon is 1-1 and faces winelss Mt. Carmel on the road on Thursday.

FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN 3, SANTANA 1 – The Knights won the East County matchup in Santee after dropping the opening game to the host Sultans.

FCHS won 21-25, 25-22, 26-24, 25-21, to capture its season-opener. Meanwhile, Santana fell to 0-3.

Elsewhere…

Christian got past El Capitan in three games. The Patriots travel to face Clairemont on Thursday at 5 p.m., while the Vaqueros (1-1) are next in action on Sept. 5 at Patrick Henry.

Sante Fe Christian swept past West Hills, 25-22, 25-21, 27-25, in the Wolf Pack’s season opener on the road. Santana meets the Wolf Pack on Thursday at 5:30 at the Sultans’ gym.

Liberty Charter (1-1) picked up its first win of the season, outlasting San Diego Academy, 25-23, 25-18, 23-25, 14-25, 15-4. The Lions are right back in action tonight at home against Ocean View Christian at 5:30.

Mountain Empire fell to Del Lago Academy in five, including 15-10 in the fifth.