GALT, CA (MPG) - The Liberty Ranch Hawks faced a formidable challenge last week when they squared off against the talented Linden Lions in what would prove to be an epic five-set thriller. Knowing that Linden was a very strong team, the Hawks put in extensive preparation before taking the court.

The match began with incredible intensity as the first set went into overtime, with Liberty Ranch managing to edge out the Lions 26-24 in a nail-biting finish. However, the Lions quickly responded in the second set, having found their rhythm to defeat the Hawks decisively 25-14.

 

Junior Kylie Diggle makes a crucial bump to keep the ball in play.

Refusing to be deterred, Liberty Ranch regrouped and came back strong in the third set, dominating the Lions 25-15 to regain momentum. The fourth set proved to be another heart-stopper, going to overtime once again with Linden managing to even the match at 2-2 with a hard-fought 26-24 victory.

The decisive fifth set lived up to all expectations, featuring intense rallies and spectacular plays from both teams. In the end, the Hawks’ preparation and determination paid off as they captured the final set 15-11 to secure a memorable 3-2 match victory.

Several Hawk players delivered outstanding performances in the victory. Senior Haley Smith led the offensive attack with 15 kills on 51 attempts, while also contributing two aces and 23 digs. Junior Vivian Frame added nine kills with an impressive .156 hitting percentage, and senior S. Lethbridge chipped in six kills despite facing tough defensive pressure.

In the serving department, senior Gabriela Garcia was particularly effective with three aces on 20 attempts, while Smith added two aces of her own. The Hawks’ defensive effort was anchored by junior Lily Pittman, who recorded a team-high 34 digs, with both Maritza Arevalo and Haley Smith adding 23 digs each.

 

Senior Bailey Alcoriza elevates for a powerful kill attempt in Liberty Ranch’s hard-fought win against Linden.

The team’s ball distribution was handled primarily by junior Maritza Arevalo, who tallied 20 assists, with Garcia contributing 13 assists in a balanced offensive attack.

With league season now underway, the Hawks have maintained their winning momentum. They recently defeated Union Mine in another thrilling five-set match (3-2), showcasing their ability to perform in pressure situations. The team followed up that victory with another hard-fought 3-2 win over league rival Amador, proving that its success against Linden was no fluke.

These early league victories have positioned Liberty Ranch well as it continues its campaign, with the team’s ability to win close matches becoming a defining characteristic of its season.

Match Statistics vs. Linden Lions:

Team Totals: 5 sets, 41 kills, 6 aces, 7 total blocks, 118 digs, 41 assists

Leading Performers:

• Kills: Haley Smith (15), Vivian Frame (9), S. Lethbridge (6)
• Aces: Gabriela Garcia (3), Haley Smith (2)
• Digs: Lily Pittman (34), Maritza Arevalo (23), Haley Smith (23)
• Assists: Maritza Arevalo (20), Gabriela Garcia (13)

The Hawks’ balanced attack and strong defensive play proved to be the difference in this crucial early-season test, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting league campaign.