Five area teams looking for section titles
A late November visit to Red Bluff didn't work out well for Mid-Valley volleyball teams last year. Two area powers, Sutter and East Nicolaus made the trip north looking for section titles only to be sent home with losses.
This year, the Huskies, Spartans and three other teams — Colusa, Gridley, and Pierce — are in the postseason and looking for an opportunity to head back to Red Bluff High — home of the Northern Section finals.
No. 2 Sutter hosts No. 7 Mt. Shasta
Starting in Division IV, there is already one big difference from last year: Sutter isn't the top seed. It's the first time since 2005 that the Huskies aren't entering the postseason at No. 1.
In the mind of Huskies coach Ann Reynolds, it's a bonus. If Sutter (36-9) was the top seed, the team would have a first round bye and not play again until the 16th. In the veteran coach's mind, she doesn't want her team sitting around waiting.
"I actually like the position we're in," she said. "It's always made me nervous because volleyball is such a rhythm and momentum game that a week off can take you out of it."
So, instead of an extra practice like years past, the Huskies will host No. 7 Mt. Shasta on Tuesday. Their obvious goal is to get back to Red Bluff, where they could very well have a revenge opportunity waiting for them in No. 1 West Valley.
The Eagles were the team that defeated Sutter in straight sets in the 2009 section finals.
No. 4 Gridley hosts No. 5 Willows
The Bulldogs (14-16) played a bevy of difficult non-conference opponents to start the season, so while their overall record is under .500, they still can be dangerous.
A good piece of proof to back up that argument came on Sept. 21, when the Bulldogs beat the Honkers 3-1 at home. On Tuesday, they'll try to have a repeat performance. If they advance, they'll go onto play No. 1 West Valley.
No. 6 East Nicolaus hosts
No. 11 Modoc
Though the Spartans (18-12) sport a far different look this year with the loss of two 6-foot-plus, NCAA-bound players from 2009, the team still has All-Area pick Haley Uhland at setter.
A senior this year, Uhland and teammate Emily Toledo will try to lead the Spartans back to Tehama County.
No. 10 Pierce visits No. 7 Etna
A year removed from a 5-17 season, the Bears (16-12) have a winning record for the first time since 2007. If they can win on Tuesday, they'll have their first playoff win since the team beat East Nicolaus in 2005.
No. 4 Colusa has bye
The Redskins (17-9) did so well this year they get to rest for a week. For a team that only has nine players on the roster, the Redskins are in a good position to have a successful postseason.
