Paloma girls volleyball team wins fourth straight league title

Kamryn Anderson spikes the ball during Paloma Valley's win on Thursday. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Paloma Valley High girls volleyball team finished regular-season play with a win over Elsinore High in three sets Thursday, making it four years straight that the Wildcats have finished at the top of the league.

Elsinore scored the first point of the night, but Paloma answered quickly and after two three quick lead exchanges, was ahead for the rest of the first set, ending with a 15-7 run to come out on top, 25-17.

The second set saw similar lead changes early on, but the Wildcats closed it with their biggest lead of the night with a 10-point margin, winning 25-15.

Paloma saw the tightest scoring margins in the third set, leading at the most by eight only at the end of the set. That lead came after a 3-1 run from Elsinore that had them within four at 21-17, the closest of any set score after the Wildcats got past 20 points. But the Tigers went scoreless for the rest of that set, giving Paloma a 25-17 victory sealed with an ace from senior Ashley Stoyer.

As the last game of regular-season play, this was a special one for Stoyer and fellow seniors like Alexa Rosales, who led the team in digs and was among the top two in kills with seven in each category.

“I feel sad and happy at the same time because it’s my senior year and I won’t be playing with my team again,” Rosales said. “We have good relationships and we support each other. I’m so excited to be league champions again with this team.”

The team had 13 total aces on the night, led by junior Cadence Croxton, who had five. Junior setter Mia Rosas led the team in kills with eight, and also tallied four digs and an ace.

“Our outsides have been pretty consistent this season and Mia pulled most of the weight for us tonight,” head coach Stephen Kaas said of Rosas’ performance. “And our setter [Stoyer] has really improved throughout the season and she’s figured out how to run a good offense for us.”

With a fourth season now finished at the top of the league, Kaas said the title is just proof of the commitment the athletes have to their sport.

“It’s just shows the commitment the kids have to buying into things,” said Kaas, mentioning that the freshman and JV teams also won their league title. “We’re not the biggest ‘Ra-ra-ra’ team, but I think it’s genuine support of each other and a decent system that keeps everybody playing their best.”

The Wildcats will learn their opening-round CIF playoff opponent this weekend.

Kaas wants the community to know that his team is one worth watching.

“It’s fun to watch; if you come to one of our home games, we put on a good show,” said Kaas. “It’s a good time. We play decent volleyball.”

Cambria Lomenick and Mia Rosas go up for a block during Thursday's match. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Alexa Rosales digs the ball to keep the play alive. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Christianna Hawkins spikes the ball over two Elsinore High defenders. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Alexa Rosales prepares to bump the ball to the setter on Thursday. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Mia Rosas goes up for the kill for Paloma Valley on Thursday. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)