FAIRFIELD -- The Rodriguez High School girls volleyball team has had a strong start to the Monticello Empire League season under second-year head coach Lindsey McLaughlin, but the level of opponent took a steep climb Wednesday night.
Visiting River City of West Sacramento packed a powerful punch and delivered the hosts a strong defeat, 25-13, 25-22, 25-19. Each game offered intense competition, but the end result was still decisive.
"They definitely have some power," McLaughlin said. "They have some phenomenal hitters. River City is definitely a great team, but we'll be ready the next time we play them."
Rodriguez is now 2-2 and 2-1 in the MEL. The Lady Mustangs had opened league play with sweeps of both Sacramento and Will C. Wood before the match with River City.
The level of opponent will continue to rise on Monday as Rodriguez travels to Vacaville for a match against the league-leading Bulldogs. On Wednesday, it will be the rivalry match at Vanden. Both Vacaville (Division II) and Vanden (Division III) won Sac-Joaquin Section titles last season.
McLaughlin had success last season in her first year at Rodriguez as the team went 8-6 overall and finished 7-5 in the MEL, third place behind the two section champions. She returned to her alma mater - McLaughlin was the school's 2019 Female Athlete of the Year - after a collegiate playing career that shined at Humboldt.
The Lady Mustangs have a good mix of nine seniors, six juniors and one sophomore this season. Rodriguez used a different lineup Wednesday night and it took some time to adjust. River City raced out to a 10-1 lead in the first game, but the Lady Mustangs were able to close the gap and had strong second and third games.
"That second set was probably the best set we have played," McLaughlin said. "Our younger girls are learning what it takes to play at his level. It's a great experience for them. We've had a big turnout this year and the girls are working hard every day to get better."
Sophomore Ava Smith had a strong match with 10 kills, five digs and three aces. Olivia Apelado was also credited with five kills. The Lady Mustangs played with energy, particularly late in the match. There was one emphatic point in the third game where the team worked together to return a hard hit near the back line with acrobatic returns.
"That point was incredible," McLaughlin added. "I called timeout late in the match and I told them to give it their all for the remaining points and they did."
River City improved to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the MEL. The Raiders only league loss came to Vacaville in five games.
The Raiders were led by hard-hitter senior Paige Moyneur, a San Francisco State commit, and sophomore libero Jessica Criswell, who was strong from the service line. Moyneur knocked down many hard kills and Criswell was able to collect many service points.