Oakland’s Laila Ogleton (6) and Amiyah Cobb (7) collide but manage to block the shot of Riverdale’s Jholie McLeod during their game at Riverdale on Thursday, JIM DAVIS
Oakland’s volleyball team swept Riverdale on the road at Johnny Parsley Memorial Gym (25-15, 25-15, 25-12) Thursday night to improve to 5-0 and atop the District 8-AAA standings.
Riverdale is 2-3 in the district after dropping back-to-back home district matches.
“I’m very excited for this team and our future,” Oakland coach Avei Logoleo said. “Our seniors have paved the way for our younger players, and this program has a great future ahead.”
Oakland dominated with hitting, defense, serve and receive.
The Patriots scored the first five points of the opening set before Riverdale cut the margin to 8-6, but Oakland’s serving took over. The Patriots scored six straight and forced Riverdale to use a timeout.
Oakland scored two more before Riverdale broke the run, but the Warriors committed eight hitting errors in the opening set and fell 25-15.
The second set followed the same pattern. Oakland got three aces combined from Carolina Bauer and Kinley, and Laila Ogleton closed out the set 25-15.
“Oakland has a really good team as they are good in all three areas,” Riverdale coach Brittany Rhinehart said. “I’ve been moving some people around and moved some people up, but that is how it is when you have injuries.”
Oakland led the final set by as much as 20-8.
“Our coach keeps us competitive in practice, and we go through certain set, match situations, so we are ready when they happen during the games,” Oakland outside hitter Laila Ogleton said.
“In middle school, our coach always pushed us in practice,” Oakland freshman outside hitter Kinsley Richard added. “It took a while to get comfortable even though I played club because of the high level of play and competition.”
Oakland’s Kinsley Richard spikes the ball against the defense of Riverdale during their game at Riverdale on Thursday, JIM DAVIS
Oakland’s Kinley Northcutt watches at Ellie Kate Knox bumps the ball during their game at Riverdale on Thursday, JIM DAVIS
Riverdale’s McKenna Kendrick bumps the ball against Oakland during their game at Riverdale on Thursday, JIM DAVIS
Riverdale’s Abby Carroll spikes the ball against Oakland during their game at Riverdale on Thursday, JIM DAVIS
Riverdale’s Jholie McLeod spikes the ball around the defense of Oakland’s Amiyah Cobb during their game at Riverdale on Thursday, JIM DAVIS
Riverdale’s Abby Carroll taps the ball around the Oakland defense to score a point during their game at Riverdale on Thursday, JIM DAVIS
Riverdale volleyball coach Brittany Rhinehart uses her jacket to hide the position she wants her server to place the ball on the Oakland side of the court during their game at Riverdale on Thursday, JIM DAVIS