Another first for River Valley

In big-time rivalry games, it is quite rare to see head coaches embrace each other.

But after River Valley's 3-1 victory over Yuba City on Wednesday night, Honker coach Amy Lopez could not have been happier for one of her best friends — River Valley coach Jenny Dove.

Dove and the Falcons made history at Honker Gym, defeating their cross-town rival for the first time in the program's five-year history, two days after the Falcons' first ever win against Inderkum.

As the tears filled Dove's eyes, a gathering of Falcon fans reverberated the walls of Honker Gym with a simple chant, "R.V., R.V." Not only was this a huge win for River Valley's volleyball program, she said, but this is a huge step for the entire athletic program.

"It was our time," said the second-year coach. "I think we will be a contender for league next year. (River Valley) is the most well-conditioned team in the area. These girls work hard all year long. They play in the offseason, they condition in the summer, there's no reason we can't contend for league next year."

Although both Yuba City-based high schools are well out of the playoff picture, a postseason atmosphere filled Honker Gym and each team fed off it early.

Yuba City handled the Falcons in the first game, 25-16, but River Valley answered back in game two by throttling the Honkers, 25-12.

The biggest emotional swing came in game three when the Honkers looked to have things well in hand. Yuba City held a 24-18 lead, but the Falcons managed to rally off eight straight points to steal the game.

Dove said her team's experiences earlier in the season against Woodland and Pioneer prepared them for that moment.

"That was huge for us," Dove said. "We beat Inderkum on Monday and that was the breaking point for us. Now we've made it over that hill. Nowhere to go but up."

Sophomore middle blocker Taylor Massengale is part of a youth movement at River Valley as the program is only losing four seniors.

After her team's 25-20 victory in the fourth game to clinch the match, Massengale said it was the most surreal feeling she's ever felt on the court.

"This was like winning the season," Massengale said. "Beating Inderkum really pumped us up for this game and we already can't wait for next year. We're going to do amazing."

Wednesday's loss for the Honkers ended a somewhat disappointing season for Lopez, who said she feels her program is heading in the right direction. Especially, because her team is only losing three seniors.

This program was in the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section title game as recently as 2005, but Lopez said rebuilding a legacy is easier said than done.

She hopes that by doing the little things, like starting a new club team in the offseason, her program might be able to start the process.

"We're starting to rebuild from within," Lopez said. "It's easy when you ride the curtails of those big teams, but when you have to rebuild that's when it really starts. We're going to work our hardest in the offseason."

Lopez and Dove both agreed that Wednesday's match was just the beginning of what may turn out to be an intense rivalry for years to come. Lopez was ecstatic for her friend, but does not plan on this losing thing becoming a trend.

"(This rivalry) keeps us both going," Lopez said. "Losing to them makes us want it more. The next couple of years will be a lot of fun. It's gonna be great."