Del Norte seniors Hanna Velasquez (3) and Kiela Madrid (12) discuss strategy prior to the serve. The Tigers kept the winning streak alive with their tenth straight. (Courier photos by Stephen Jiron)

DEL NORTE — From the cozy confines of the Tiger Fieldhouse, Del Norte defeated Sanford in a league volleyball match three sets to none.

Del Norte (11-1) is running through the season with a full head of steam. Traced back to August 25 the Tigers have launched a 10 game winning streak that includes six league games. That impressive streak has Del Norte sitting near the top of the RPI rankings in the number six spot.

Entering Thursday’s contest Del Norte was led in kills by Myka Glover and Lacie Jones. Sophomore Glover had 128 and senior Jones with 126. Glover also let the Tigers in blocks amassing 23 before meeting Sanford.

Prior to traveling northwest, Sanford (8-4) had collected four straight wins. Sanford has picked up some meaningful Rating Percentage points and currently occupies the No. 12 spot in the RPI unofficial rankings.

Del Norte got the scoring started in set number one pulling a 5-point rally on the opening serve. That was the largest rally by either team for the remainder of the set as the court cooled and Del Norte and Sanford seemed to mostly trade side-outs. A closely fought series inched its way to the match point, there an error charged to Sanford forced a side out and gave Del Norte set one by a score of 25-19.

The second set was even tighter. Sanford opened with a 2-point rally then two serves later with Nykia Ruvolo at the service line Sanford would put together a 3-point rally, their largest of the match. Sanford played well with the lead forcing side-outs on Del Norte’s next three serves.

The Tigers refused to stay silent however; five points on two serves closed the gap to 13-11 in Sanford’s favor. After forcing a side out Del Norte was trailing 13-12. With Hannah Velasquez, Kiela and Kaeci Madrid on the net the Tigers engineered a four-point rally to take their first lead of the set. Those three points ended up being the difference maker as Del Norte went on to take the set 25-22.
Having won the first set in a battle of attrition and the second by way of comeback. Del Norte made their final push. Seniors Kiela Madrid and Lacey Jones came on strong with attacks coming from the middle and far side of the net. The Tigers picked up chunks with their at-serve en route to building a 24-18 lead. However before they could close things out the serve went back to Sanford.

With one point to make Myka Glover picked up the game winner with a block to close things at 25-18.

Del Norte will look to continue their reign of terror in the Southern Peaks league when they travel north of Monte Vista to face Sargent (4-4) Friday Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m. Sanford will get some down time as they prepare to go from a one loss team to an undefeated team. Sanford will welcome the rampaging Mean Moose (14-0) to Sanford next Tuesday Oct. 2.