Sonoma Valley’s volleyball team wrests first from Vintage

Sonoma’s volleyball team won its 9th straight match to take over league lead.|

The Sonoma Valley varsity volleyball team went to Vintage High in Napa on Wednesday afternoon to challenge their primary rival for Vine Valley league dominance – and avenge their loss to the Crushers over a month ago. Naturally, it all came down to the last set of a five-set match to reach a verdict.

Every set was hard-found and dramatic. The two “very talented teams” competed “at the highest level of play I’ve seen yet in the league this season,” said Dragon head coach Brian Perkins.

The first match stayed close to 11-11, then the Dragons went on a run to win, 25-16, and a hush descended inside Crusher Gym. But the next two sets went Vintage’s way, by increasingly wide margins – 25-20, then 25-14.

The Dragons were looking at defeat just a set away, and fought with every serve and volley. to take the match to five games – which has become familiar territory for the fighting Dragons this season.

Tied at 23-23, senior co-captain Gianna Bruton served an ace to get to match point 24-23, then a solo block by junior Katie Brenninger stopped a Vintage attack and the Dragons won, 25-23.

The Dragons started the final set strong and stretched their lead to 13-9. But the Crushers wouldn’t give up and fought back to within a single point at 13-12.

With the score 14-13, match point, freshman Lola Martin slammed down her eighth kill of the night off a great dig by sophomore Nelli Jimenez, giving the Dragons the 15-13 win.

Ruby Capriola sparked the team with 5 blocks and 7 kills. “She was a key to our success!” said Perkins.

With the narrow win in the fifth set, the Dragons are now 10-2 in the league, and Vintage drops to second place with their 9-3 record.

It was the ninth straight win for Sonoma Valley, who hasn’t lost since the last time they faced Vintage, on Sept. 17. At that time they fell in four sets to the Crushers at home; this time things were different.

“I’m so proud of this team,” said Perkins. “I asked them for their best effort on every point tonight, and they delivered.

“That’s a very talented Vintage team, and to win that match, in their gym, with first place on the line, shows the character and determination of these young women.”

The win puts Sonoma Valley on top of the league, at least for now, with Vintage dropping to second. But right behind Vintage in the standings is Petaluma, with an 8-3 record.

The Trojans played the Dragons at Pfeiffer Gym on Thursday evening (results too late for press time), where Sonoma celebrated three graduating team members, Gianna Bruton, Angelina Carabini and Alondra Martinez.

Check for photos and results at sonomanews.com.

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