In just its second varsity season, River Islands was able to take the reigning Central California Athletic Alliance champion to a fifth set on Tuesday.
Although the Riptide did not get the result it wanted, there are positives to take away from the 19-25, 25-13, 25-21, 18-25, 11-15 loss to Ben Holt College Prep Academy.
River Islands had an 11-match winning streak get snapped, and that included three consecutive five-set wins over established programs in non-league play. Tuesday’s setback was a reminder (4-1 CCAA, 19-3 overall) to the young Riptide that there is still another level it can reach.
“I think this (loss) can really strengthen us as a team,” said standout outside hitter Milyn Morales, one of just four seniors for River Islands. “Going forward, we know we play them again at the end of the month, so we know what to expect. We know what areas we need to improve on. I think that was a good experience for us.”
Morales led the Riptide with 23 kills, and sister Ada had nine to go with 22 service points, eight aces and two blocks. Ada Morales went on an 11-point service run that included three aces and five kills from Milyn. The peak of that rally had River Islands well ahead, 21-5.
Brianna Lee added three kills and five blocks. Freshman setter Corley Simoni had three kills, 16 service points, three aces and two blocks.
Holt Academy (5-0, 21-4) has its own dynamic sister pairing in juniors Zallianna (12 kills, three blocks) and Zabella (15 kills, four aces) Saleh-Beas. Setter Farryn Garcia (five kills, two aces) orchestrated the Bobcats’ offense, and fellow senior Brooke Young (four kills, 10 service points, two aces) also had key moments.
Gabrielah Saeturn (five kills, 23 service points, six aces) was able to keep River Islands out of system for long stretches with her strong serving. She served 10 straight points to tilt momentum in Holt Academy’s favor early in the fourth set.
River Islands scored the first two points of the final set but never led again after back-to-back aces from Saeturn gave the Bobcats a 5-3 advantage. Holt Academy did not trail again. An ace from Young set the Bobcats up with match point, and the battle for first place ended on a hitting error from River Islands.
“Our girls have been really responsive to making adjustments, but tonight, it just came down to that little bit of momentum,” River Islands coach Rhiannon Genilla said. “When we’re making those adjustments (against momentum), sometimes you can be a little but unsure it can work.
“I think we learned so much from this, and that was the biggest note that we had in our (post-match) meeting.”
River Islands heads to Turlock Christian on Thursday. The Riptide sees Holt Academy again in the regular-season finale on Oct. 23 in Stockton.
