After making quick work of a short-handed Redwoods squad, the Sierra College beach volleyball team held off scrappy Feather River 4-1 on March 30.
The win over Feather River was the Wolverines first ever against the Golden Eagles, who were the Coast Conference champions last season and put up a fight all afternoon.
"Feather River is a hardworking team," said Sierra coach Alanna Whitnack. "They did not quit or give away free points, so we had to grind it out for the win. We're happy to be 2-0 in the conference, but there's a lot of volleyball left to play and we have a lot to learn."
Both the 4s and 5s went three sets, with 4s Grace Lemmo and Kapri Pelle picking up the 21-12, 10-21, 15-8 win. Brittany Boarstra and Belle Orteza lost a hard fought 16-21, 21-18, 15-13 decision, but Sierra (5-2, 2-0), captured the next three matches to secure the dual win.
Maddy Rowland and Kylie Shinn Kalala Strickland posted a 22-20, 21-14 win in the 3s match and Meghan Merlino won the 2s, 21-18, 21-19. Savannah Schroeder and Sara Schell closed out the dual with a 21-12, 21-19 win in the 1s match.
The Redwoods fielded just three teams. Sierra's Schnell and Schroeder posted a 21-8, 21-13 win in the 1s, Merlino and Strickland won the 2s 21-3, 21-6 and Rowland and Shinn won the 3s 21-2, 21-1.
Friday, April 6, Sierra hosts Marin and Delta. The first match begins at noon.
Story by Scott Johnston, photo by Dave Lawicka