Nordhoff’s Leslie Ruiz (No. 7) flies high for a hit during the Rangers first Citrus Coast League game of the season away at Carpinteria on Sept. 3. Rangers teammates supporting from left include Charlotte Sittig (No. 5), Elise Lara (No. 10), and Cadence Renshaw (No. 2). Warrior defenders featured are Penny Wrought, left, (No. 13) and Camila Martinez (No. 1).
Nordhoff’s Leslie Ruiz (No. 7) flies high for a hit during the Rangers first Citrus Coast League game of the season away at Carpinteria on Sept. 3. Rangers teammates supporting from left include Charlotte Sittig (No. 5), Elise Lara (No. 10), and Cadence Renshaw (No. 2). Warrior defenders featured are Penny Wrought, left, (No. 13) and Camila Martinez (No. 1).
By Tom Moore, Special to the Ojai Valley News
The Nordhoff Rangers opened their varsity volleyball season away at Citrus Coast League (CCL) opponent Carpinteria on September 3. And they did it with a bang, winning the match 3-1.
I heard discussion between the JV and varsity matches that the Warriors were viewed as perhaps the strongest team in the league this season. I guess no one told the Rangers, because they came out swinging, building an early lead and holding on to it, to score a 25-13 win in the first set.
Not to be dismissed, Carpinteria roared back and took the second set, 25-18, perhaps catching the Rangers a little flat. The third set was the defining point in this match. Both teams were fired up. Both had tasted victory, and each was highly motivated to take the next critical set. Accordingly, the third set was hotly contested, with many lead changes and hard-fought points. Both teams showed great determination to keep the points in play. To the credit of the Nordhoff players, they never lost hope or commitment to bring their best game to the moment, and they brought home a tough win at 25-22.
In the final set, the Rangers were determined not to let the match go to a fifth set, and they battled their way to a strong finish at 25-16. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect start to the season, against a team which might justifiably have been considered the favorite. The Ranger loss in the second set might even be construed as a benefit, providing a stern test of their ability to dig deep and regain the upper hand against a very capable opponent.
The Rangers host CCL opponent Hueneme High School on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in Ojai, and then play away at Malibu on Sept. 12. Nordhoff hosts Channel Islands next week on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and Fillmore on Thursday, Sept. 19, both at 6:30 p.m.
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