Sonoma Valley High School Dragon spikers’ season comes to abrupt end

The Sonoma Valley High volleyball Dragons’ season ended abruptly Saturday evening when they fell 3-0 to Petaluma in the quarterfinals of the North Coast Section Division 3 playoffs.

The Dragons were riding a 10-game winning streak including two wins over the Trojans going into the match. Saturday’s scores were 15-25, 23-25 and 14-25.

The first set was close in the early going as the match was knotted at 7. But then the Trojans stepped it up and took an 11-18 lead that they managed to stretch to 10 at the end of the set.

Sonoma found itself down 6-13 in the second set. But the Dragons came back and managed to narrow the gap to 3 points at 16-19. Looking at set point at 20-24, Sonoma scored three quick points to close the gap to a single point at 23-24, but that was as close as they got.

Petaluma jumped out to a 0-7 lead in the third set and the Dragons couldn’t recover as the Trojans pushed the lead to 10 at 7-17. It was too much to make up and the Dragons fell 14-25.

“It was certainly a tough loss, considering we beat them in straight sets twice during the season. It just wasn’t our night. We couldn’t seem to get any momentum going, and Petaluma played brilliantly,” said coach Brian Perkins. “We wish (Petaluma coach) Ryan (Hughes) and his team good luck in the next round, and in the NorCal tournament. It’s great to see a Vine Valley team in the mix, and I know they’ll represent our league well. We’re surely disappointed it’s not us, but I reminded each girl after the match that it was a fantastic season.

Junior Katie Brenninger led the Dragons with 16 kills in the match; senior Alondra Martinez had two blocked shots; senior Angelina Carabini and junior Sophia Riebli each had 14 digs while Riebli had 23 assists.

“We accomplished more than we thought we could back in July when we started summer workouts. And to finish the regular season 10-2, on a 9-0 run, and win a VVAL title is something very special - something to be proud of. We’re celebrating that, and will continue to celebrate that in a couple weeks at our team banquet. And again at a rally where we can raise the banner in Pfeiffer and celebrate with the student body, faculty and staff,” Perkins added. “I’m so happy for our three seniors that they can wrap up their high school volleyball careers with a league title. They’ll always remember that.”

Petaluma moves on to face Branson in the Division 3 semifinals Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Thursday, Oct. 31, the Dragons beat Terra Linda in five sets in the opening round of the NCS playoffs.

After the first two sets in Thursday night’s first-round NCS playoff game, it looked like it would be a short night.

But Terra Linda came back and took the third and fourth sets forcing a fifth set.

“They (Terra Linda) made it interesting,” said Perkins. “They did this to us last time, earlier this year.”

Sonoma faced the Trojans in a pre-season match and after taking the first two sets, the Dragons had to hold off the Trojans for a 3-2 win.

“They’re a talented team and they’re scrappy,” Perkins said. “They have a good coach and they adjusted their defense.”

Brenninger had 18 kills while senior Gianna Bruton chipped in with 11; Bruton had six serving aces and Riebli had four; junior Marissa White had 21 digs while Carabini had 16 and Riebli had a dozen digs to go with 37 assists.

Sonoma ends its season with a 15-6 overall record and a 10-2 mark in the Vine Valley Athletic League. The Dragons were also VVAL co-champs with Vintage.

“My thanks to the parents, students, and fans for coming out to support the team all season. Thanks to the coaches for all their great work this season, particularly Marcus Alphin and Lesley Giovanelli who volunteered so much of their time and energy to the team,” Perkins said.

“And thanks to the ladies of 2019 varsity Dragon volleyball for a wonderful season. A truly amazing group of young women - it was an honor,” Perkins continued. “I’m already thinking about next season and all the young talent we have. Dragon volleyball is a force to be reckoned with in Vine Valley and NCS for years to come.”