Volleyball success eludes Lady Dragons

Despite their record, the Lady Dragons are clearly enjoying the game, their cheers and supportive yells, slaps and high-fives creating a positive if not exhilarating atmosphere.|

After struggling to put together three sets in a match for the past couple weeks, the Sonoma Valley volleyball team took three in a row from Healdsburg on Wednesday, sparked by seven kills from junior Gianna Bruton and six more from seniors Gabby Knudsen and Gracie Vollert.

Defensively, sophomore Marissa White with her eight digs saved key points as well.

Coach Rand Rognlien praised the “solid offensive and defensive play from the team tonight.”

On the other hand, Healdsburg is winless so far this season, having won exactly one set in their first eight recorded matches.

The day before, on Tuesday, Sept. 18, the Lady Dragons lost to Napa, 3-0, in a match that was closer than the score indicated. Though the “Lady Grizzlies” took the first set 25-13, the next two were scored 25-21 and 25-20. Once again Gianna Bruton came up strong in kills with 10, and Knudsen had six.

The previous week the volleyball squad dropped two to Vine Valley rivals Vintage and Casa Grande. Their current league record is 1-4 (7-8 overall).

This coming weekend, Sept. 22-23, is the Paganini Tournament at Pfeiffer Gym, featuring 12 varsity teams from the North Bay, including Redwood, Analy, Antioch, Drake, Albany and others. Play starts at 8:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, games are open to the public, and a food truck will be on hand as well. It’s a fundraiser for the Sonoma Valley girls volleyball team.

Despite their travails, the 15 Lady Dragons on the roster are clearly enjoying the game, their cheers and supportive yells, slaps and high-fives creating a positive if not exhilarating atmosphere.

The fans – whether parents, friends or schoolmates who just drop by – share that enthusiasm, making a match at Pfeiffer a lot of fun no matter the score.

Next VVAL game is on Tuesday, Sept. 25, when Petaluma comes to play. Freshman serve at 4 p.m., JV at 5 and varsity takes the court at 7 p.m.

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