East Nicolaus storms past Los Molinos

Receiving a mild scare from visiting Los Molinos, the East Nicolaus High volleyball team regrouped and stormed to a 25-13, 25-12, 18-25, 25-5, Mid-Valley League win on Thursday night.

The Spartans (7-4, 2-0) had things well in hand after the first two games before hitting a speed bump in the third game.

"I don't think it was anything we did wrong," East Nicolaus assistant coach Chris Abruscato said of the third game. "Instead, Los Molinos just picked up their game."

After the wakeup call, the Spartans came out in the fourth game and took it to the Bulldogs (13-7, 0-2).

"That's how we normally play all the time," Abruscato added of the final set.

The Spartans jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the fourth game, in part because of two thunderous kills by Juliet Conant and another spike by Emily Toledo.

Conant then stepped to the back row and served 11 straight points to up the Spartans' lead to 20-2. Included in that string were five aces, as she altered her style, sometimes serving hard and other times serving short.

"Coach gives me signals how to serve," Conant said.

Conant finished with the match with eight aces.

Conant also was a huge force at the net. The junior middle blocker registered 12 kills and came up with four blocks.

While attacking, Conant sometimes slammed the ball off the floor and other times, she delicately placed it where there were no Bulldogs covering. On one play, she deftly looked one direction before dumping a kill the other direction just over the net.

"I just look for the hole," Conant said.

Toledo also was formidable at the net, coming away with 10 kills.

Setter Haley Uhland had a solid match, posting 26 assists as well as four kills. She also served two aces, and defensively, she had six digs.

Throughout the whole match, Uhland, a sophomore whose nickname has been "Smiley" since she was in the fifth grade, never had a frown on her face. Instead, she was laughing and smiling.

"I really love volleyball," she said. "It's a lot of fun."

As for the reason why she always was smiling on the court, Uhland said, "I just want to do anything to cheer up my teammates, pick them up."

Samantha Skelly had five kills while Lacey Camacho had three to help with the Spartans' attack.

Conant, Uhland and Abruscato are all optimistic about how East Nicolaus will fare in a new league.

"I think it will be between us and Hamilton City," Abruscato said, adding before Thursday's match he was worried Los Molinos might have given the Spartans trouble.

"I want to win league," Conant said. "And I want to go far (in the playoffs)."

"I'm very excited about winning league and going to the playoffs," Uhland added.

East Nicolaus (6-5, 1-1) lost the JV match, 25-13, 25-12.