West Ranch High girls volleyball was one win away from securing a share of its first-ever Foothill League crown. So, when Saugus High stole game one, the Wildcats’ title hopes rested on their response.
And respond they did.
West Ranch defeated the Centurions on Tuesday night, 3-1, at Saugus High, taking the momentum in game two behind a dominant performance from Tasha Skabelund.
“We went from being a team that dropped a game to being the best we ever looked this season,” said Wildcats coach Brandon Pank.
PHOTOS: West Ranch claims share of Foothill League title with win over Saugus
Skabelund’s seventh kill in the momentum swinging second game capped off a 19-4 West Ranch run, which turned a 6-6 into a 25-10 win that tied the match.
Skabelund finished the night with 11 kills.
“I’ve been wanting this since freshman year,” said Skabelund, a senior. “I am so proud of our team.”
Saugus played West Ranch to 6-6 ties in the final two games with the aid of Caitlin Liebe’s 15 kills and Holly Piroli’s 21 digs, but the Centurions were unable to capitalize on its strong starts.
Saugus (17-17 overall, 5-5 in league) also gave up a 19-8 run in game four, which Kaitlin Schultz finished with her fourth kill of the frame to give the Wildcats (21-8-1, 9-1) the 25-14 victory.
“I am so honored to be sharing the title with Valencia,” Pank said. “To even think that we as a program are another strong program in this valley is exciting to me.”
Saugus, which finishes the year tied with Hart for third place, was able to avoid a second sweep to the Wildcats as Madison Hollers tallied four aces in a row in game one to help the Centurions jump out to a 6-3 lead.
Hollers finished the match with six aces.
Katie Jacobs led West Ranch with 29 assists, while Allison Jacobs tallied 16 digs. Schultz finished the match with four blocks.
Hart 3, Golden Valley 0
Hart swept the Golden Valley Grizzlies Tuesday night at Hart High School to tie Saugus for third place in the Foothill League.
The game scores were: 25-16, 25-15, and 25-14.
Golden Valley, who lost to Hart 3-1 on September 29, finishes the season 0-10 in Foothill League play.
Madi Fay’s four aces and six kills, along with Natasha Stewarts’ six kills, led the Indians (13-8, 5-5) to victory after Hart dropped their second match with Saugus, 3-2, on October 20.
