West Valley dominates Sutter for title win

FOR THE WIN: Paige Adkins hits the ball over the net in an attempt to win the game. Sutter ended up scoring the next two points before West Valley was able to come up with the win in Red Bluff at the NSCIF Division IV Championships.

In a stunning display of control, West Valley swept all three games against Sutter, 25-18, 25-18, and 25-21 to become the Northern Section Division IV champions.

In Red Bluff on Saturday, the Lady Eagles came prepared to square off against the Huskies for the title. Even when West Valley fell a few points behind Sutter, the ladies never lost their composure or the momentum of the game.

Both teams went into the third game playing with a lot of intensity, Sutter was trying to come from behind to win a game and keep themselves in the running, while West Valley was trying to neatly put away the game for a section win.

Toward the end of the third game the Lady Eagles started putting distance between the Huskies, leading by fives points, until Sutter starting cutting down on their lead.

In the end it, Sutter was not able to come from behind after leading the game early on, giving West Valley the opportunity to come from behind for the win.

"I'm very proud of the team. The girls played Sutter earlier in the season at some tournaments and lost," said Karl Stemmler, principal of West Valley High School. "West Valley came ready, and Sutter had all game and couldn't turn it around."

Stemmler said the experience of Carla Davis, the Eagles coach, was invaluable. Davis has coached volleyball at West Valley for 26 years and has 13 section titles.

"I thought they played absolutely wonderful and

everyone absolutely gave their best," said Davis. "There were a couple of saves off the net when I thought our girls played great defense. It really was a team win."

With the win, the Lady Eagles will play in the first round of the Northern California playoffs to see if they can add a state title to their season.