By Michael Ashcraft --
Riley doesn't get dizzy.
She was whirling and diving all over the volleyball court as if she were a break dancer.
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Pretty much the only thing she didn't do was spin on her head.
"I was spinning a lot today," Riley Gonzalez says. "I think it's just my adrenaline telling my body to move whichever I see the ball. You have to move around and be quick."
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As libero, Riley was endangering her skeletal system on the hard wood to blunt Beacon Hill's attack and help Lighthouse Christian Academy to a convincing win over their stiffest rival in the league. The Saints burned the wings of the Griffins in three sets: 25-16, 25-20, 28-26.
"We have been looking forward to playing this team because we knew they would be the best," said CoachJessica Young. "To beat them without (last year's stars) Allie (Scribner) and Dahlia (Gonzalez) was a big thing for us. We were nervous. I'm really happy with the girls, how scrappy they were, and our offense just keeps getting better and better."
Can we now call this a dynasty?
With dynamic dance on the floor, Riley returned 90% of Beacon Hill attacks with digs so skillful they could be turned into sets and hits from the Lighthouse's fearsome firepower: Jillian Jenkins 16 kills, Lucy Young 5 kills, Karine Keyser 3 kills.
Setter Shayla Papik got 18 assists and finished off the intensely fought third match with a devastating ace.
Beacon Hill Classical Academy of Camarillo met Lighthouse with formidable blocking, forcing Jill to target her hits with intelligence. The Griffins also fired off powerful serves and deployed their own attack force to drive powerful hits on the Saints.
The intense competition brought out Lighthouse's best game so far this season.
Coyote-hunter Lilah Hosni dropped in a serve impossibly within the 10-foot line and followed it up with a serve that hit the back line. Fire-feet Eden Garcia provided the type of all-around solid play as to not give Beacon Hill the chance.
After losing some pre-season games, Lighthouse is on a winning streak in league play.
Through the intense battle, Riley didn't get nervous.
"Before this game, I sat down myself and started praying and told myself whatever happens, it's in God's will, that if He wants us to win, He'll let us win. Just knowing that gave me some peace. If He doesn't want us to win and this is not our game, so be it."
About this writer: Michael Ashcraft teaches journalism at the Lighthouse Christian Academy.
