Warriors VB team takes first Big 5 W of the year

Down Fortuna in four sets Tuesday

The Del Norte High varsity volleyball team snapped out of a funk to defeat Fortuna in four sets on the road Tuesday night.

The win improved the Warriors to 1-2 in the Big 5 Conference and 7-11 overall.

After falling in the first set 20-25 Del Norte bounced back to earn 25-21, 27-25 and 25-15 wins.

“I was pretty excited about the way we executed,” head coach Robyn Parker said. “They played like how I wanted them to play. They played together.”

A problem all year has been the difficulty the team has had in coming back after falling behind.

Parker has felt the squad has been too down on themselves and been unable to focus, work together and come back for the win when this happens.

She was pleased that despite losing the first set, the squad banded together, got going and got three straight set wins to earn a well-deserved victory.

Senior Keirstyn Anderson had another strong game. She finished with 11 kills, eight digs and two aces. Senior Morgan Laney had seven kills and one block.

Senior Kylee Bruder finished with three blocks and three kills.

Brittany Maready had six digs, Shauna Ratnour had five digs and Chandler Davis had four digs for the Warriors.

Ayashe Padon had two aces and two blocks.

Tonight, Del Norte has a challenge at home.

They will host Arcata, which is currently on top of the standings in the Big 5.

The Tigers, not normally known as a power team in the conference, have looked quite strong this year. They soundly defeated the Eureka Loggers on Tuesday 25-19, 25-23 and 27-25. Arcata is 3-0 in the conference and 15-3 overall.

Eureka defeated Del Norte in  the Warriors home opener last Thursday in three sets 23-25, 21-25, and 21-25.

Parker is hopeful that the win Tuesday night gives the team a shot of confidence that will be needed tonight.

It also helps to be playing in front of a supportive and normally loud home crowd, she said.

Parker said that if the squad plays as a team, does not get flustered even when its down and keeps its energy level up, good things can take place tonight for the Warriors.

The junior varsity game begins at 5:30 p.m. with varsity to follow at Thunen Gym. This will be the second of four Big 5 games scheduled for this season at home and the third of only five games being played in Crescent City.

The junior varsity team also had a good showing on Tuesday. They won in three sets 25-19, 22-25 15-12 to improve to 2-1 in the Big 5.