Memorable night for seniors

Win in three sets in last home game

Things ended on a high note for the Del Norte High Warriors varsity volleyball squad in the team’s home finale at Thunen Gym on Thursday.

With eight seniors honored before the start of the game, a receptive and loud crowd cheered on the Warriors as they earned a 25-22, 25-17, 25-19 win against the Fortuna Huskies in Big 5 Conference play.

Warriors head coach Robyn Parker commended her team for playing one of its best matches this season.

“I’m proud,” she said. “They had the intensity I’ve wanted all season. It was a great win for us.”

“We were playing consistently and together,” Parker added. “We were a well-oiled machine.”

Keirstyn Anderson had a  memorable final home performance for the Warriors. The senior had a season-high 18 kills and nine digs. She also has two aces. Fellow senior Morgan Laney had 13 kills.

Del Norte improved to 14-15 overall and 3-4 in the Big 5.

“It means a lot,” said senior Chandler Davis about winning the way the team did on senior night. “It was absolutely perfect.”

Davis said it was great to hear all the cheers and applause coming from the fans, especially from their peers.

“The student section was hopping tonight,” Davis said.

The first set was highly contested in the early going as neither team could break the game open.

The Huskies had the early advantage at 10-7 but the Warriors battled back.

With things knotted at 18-18 Laney smashed the ball for a kill to give Del Norte the lead.

The Warriors pulled away and earned the first set win on a kill by Anderson as the home crowd erupted.

In the second set, Del Norte fed off the momentum of the first set, not giving Fortuna much to work with.

With the score 18-6 Del Norte, the Huskies staged a bit of a run and got as close as 23-17 before the Warriors put them away for the 25-17 win.

In the third set it was more of a battle as the contest shifted back and forth. With the score 18-17, Del Norte went on a run to win 25-19.

Del Norte had beaten Fortuna   in four sets durings their first meeting on the road earlier this month 20-25, 25-21, 27-25, 25-15.

Kylee Bruder finished with six kills, and two blocks for Del Norte on Thursday. Davis had seven aces and three digs. Ayashe Padon had three kills and two digs. Shauna Ratnour finished with four digs and two aces. Blaire Lopez had two kills.

 Before the game began, eight Warrior seniors were honored.

It  was an emotional time. Family members exchanged warm hugs and congratulations with the players as each was individually announced. They included Anderson, Bruder, Davis, Laney, Lopez, Padon, Ratnour and Emily Ruggles.

Del Norte ends the regular season on the road Tuesday against Arcata, which wrapped up the Big 5 crown with a win against Eureka on Thursday night.

Reach Bill Choy at bchoy@

triplicate.com.

Ruggles.

Del Norte ends the regular season on the road on Tuesday against Arcata, who just wrapped up the Big 5 crown with a win against Eureka Thursday night.