Freshman Courtney Smith jumps high to spike the ball over the net. Photo by Paige Lampson

GALT, CA (MPG) - The Liberty Ranch junior varsity volleyball team beat Union Mine 2-0 on Oct. 1 at the Hawks Nest, winning the sets 25-20 and 27-25.

The Hawks won the first set by five points. Union Mine pushed them much harder in the second, which went past 25 before Liberty Ranch closed it out 27-25.

Freshman Courtney Smith led the attack with 10 kills on 24 swings. She also had four digs and a block assist. Sophomore Emma Barranco hit .333 with five kills and no errors. She was also the team's best server, with four of the Hawks' seven aces and seven points while serving. Barranco added four digs and handled eight serve receptions. Sophomore Kirra Williams had three kills and hit .182, and freshman Zoey Salemme added two kills and two assists.

Sophomore setter Raiza Lexau ran the offense with 17 assists. She also had seven digs and went 8-for-8 serving with an ace.

Freshman libero Reagan Gonsolis led the back row with 13 digs and 13 serve receptions. She also served 7-of-8 with an ace and scored six points while serving. Sophomore Ava Torres was a perfect 9-for-9 at the line for five points and added three digs. Junior Hayden Abreu had a block assist and two digs.

As a team, Liberty Ranch had 20 kills, 20 assists, 33 digs and seven aces in the win.