Girls Volleyball: El Camino Tops Rio Americano in Tight Contest

The girls volleyball team overcame a strong effort from an undermanned squad on Wednesday to win the matchup of two of the area's top programs by a score of 3-1.

The Eagles, ranked No. 1 in the area by The Sacramento Bee, got off to a fast start, winning the first game 25-17 before a rowdy home crowd. The, still shorthanded by player injuries but ranked No. 10 by The Bee, came back to tie it up in the second game 23-25. The last two games were won by El Camino but by narrow margins of 25-21 and 25-22.

El Camino led by senior outside hitter Natalie Riddering, a Cal verbal commit who had 21 kills and 11 digs.

"There's so much excitement for our team right now," Riddering said following the match. "We knew they could make a big push in the second (set) and we knew we had to push back."

Eagles freshman setter Devin Herenda chipped in with 39 assists and 14 digs while senior middle hitters Nicole Hareland and Megan Lunger were strong at the net, with seven blocks between them.

"It's a rivalry game and I think we showed heart from the second set on," said El Camino coach Marty Soyama. "Give credit to Rio. They played hard tonight."

The Raiders were led by junior middle blocker and outside hitter Maddie Cannon (15 kills, two errors, 24 attempts, four blocks) and senior outside hitter Lauren Kirschke (eight kills, four errors, 25 attempts, 22 digs, 24 service receptions). Senior setter Ariana Garner added four aces, four blocks, 41 assists and 14 digs while freshman libero Brooke Watson stepped up with 20 digs and 24 service receptions.

"No excuses but they played a great game," Rio coach John Grix said of El Camino. "We let it slip...had some errors defensively...and their net play was better than ours."

Grix added that his team will no doubt improve when they get a full 12 players healthy.

El Camino debuted at No. 13 in the MaxPreps Freeman rankings, the statistical tracking site's human classification system, The Bee reported. The Eagles are also ranked No. 1 in the state in Division II and fourth statewide by MaxPreps' computers.

El Camino, as defending champion, headline the 32-team Carmichael Invitational large-school tournament Saturday at El Camino, Del Campo and , The Bee reported. Rio Americano is also in the field.

The two teams meet again at Rio (15-5) on Oct. 17 and at El Camino (18-1) on Senior Night on Nov. 2.

"We're preparing and improving in some areas as the season goes on," Riddering said. "We're working on getting better."