It took a complete team effort for Saugus High to avoid a series sweep against Hart High on Thursday night at Hart High School.
The Centurions fought back from an early deficit to defeat the Indians, 3-2. The win breaks a tie between the teams for third place in the Foothill League.
Caitlin Liebe and Brianna Plunk each had 12 kills, Grace Ferguson’s 10 kills, Chloe Nale had 10 kills and a .529 hitting percentage, and Gabby Scheisser had a career-high 45 assists.
“Four girls with double digit kills was the big difference,” said Centurions head coach Zachary Ambrose. “It was a very balanced offense for us.”
The game score were: 19-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-20, and 15-9.
MORE volleyball: West Ranch overcomes early setback against Hart
After Madi Fay (nine kills, 19 assists) put game one to bed with a kill that capped of a 9-3 run from a 16-16 tie, the Centurions jumped all over the Indians in game two, growing the lead to 11-3. Ferguson ensured Saugus’ victory with a kill of her own to end the second game.
“Winning this match meant a lot to all of us because Hart beat us in four games last time, so we wanted to come out strong and fight,” Ferguson said.
A multitude of Centurions had big moments in the five-game thriller. Tied 20-20 in a game four that Saugus needed to win to avoid another loss to Hart, Liebe bookended a 5-0 run with two kills that forced the fifth game.
Nale led off the final frame with a kill and two of her four aces as the Centurions scored nine unanswered points. Despite outscoring Saugus 9-6 from that point, Hart (3-4 in Foothill League) couldn’t avoid falling to fourth place in league standings.
The Indians were also led by Delaney Gibbs’ nine kills, four of which she collected in a game three Hart easily won, and Alyssa Cosey’s 17 assists, and finish the season at home against the Golden Valley Grizzlies on Tuesday.
Saugus (5-4 in Foothill League) travels to Crescenta Valley High School to play in the Crescencta Valley Volleyball Tournament, which they last won in 2010, before finishing the season Tuesday against the West Ranch Wildcats, who are tied for first place in Foothill.
West Ranch 3, Canyon 0
The West Ranch Wildcats swept Canyon High School at West Ranch High School on Thursday night.
The Game scores were: 25-16, 25-22, and 25-16.
The Cowboys (2-8 in Foothill League) travels to Valencia on Tuesday to finish their season against the Vikings.
West Ranch (8-1 in Foothill League) was led by Tasha Skabelund’s 10 kills, Katie Jacobs’ 20 assists, and Lauren Smith’s two aces, and will finish the regular season at Saugus High School on Tuesday looking to stay tied with Valencia for first-place in the Foothill League.
Valencia 3, Golden Valley 0
Valencia swept the Golden Valley Grizzlies at Golden Valley High School, remaining tied with West Ranch for first-place in the Foothill League.
The game scores were: 25-21, 25-16, and 25-17
Golden Valley (0-9 in Foothill League) travels to Hart High School on Tuesday to finish off the regular season against the Indians.
Lauryn Shockley’s seven kills, Kaelyn White’s 14 assists, and Kelsey Knudsen’s 12 digs, led the Vikings (8-1 in Foothill League) who host the Canyon Cowboys on Tuesday for their final regular season match.
