GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Gridley varsity volleyball team went on the road and defeated Oroville on Tuesday night, September 27, to earn its first win in the Butte View League following back-to-back losses to begin league play.

Gridley (14-9, 1-2 BVL) was swept at Orland (15-8, 2-0 BVL) on September 22 and lost 3-2 at home against Corning (6-12, 2-0 BVL) two days later. Then on Tuesday night, the Lady Bulldogs came out with a vengeance, topping the Tigers (8-13, 0-2 BVL) in straight sets.

Despite the loss, Gridley came out strong in the match against Corning when it won the first set 25-7. Lady Bulldogs coach Liz Ayon is in her third season and has posted a record of 34-22 overall since taking over the program. Ayon told The Gridley Herald that she was happy with how her team controlled the serve in the first set.

Gridley senior middle hitter and captain Kennison Cota is the team leader in every statistical category except assists and receptions. Cota is averaging 2.5 kills per set and has a total of 175 kills through 23 games according to MaxPreps.

The other team captain on the Lady Bulldogs is senior setter Avery Weagant. Ayon told The Herald that Weagant has been out for the last month with a concussion and was cleared to compete again a day before playing Oroville. Ayon added that she is planning to bring Weagant back gradually and be cautious until she feels she is 100%. 

“We’re going to work on our defense and our communication,” Ayon proclaimed.

Gridley had a six-match win streak from September 9-15 that was snapped with the loss to Orland. During the streak, the Lady Bulldogs swept Williams, Live Oak, Paradise, Rio Linda and Biggs. Durham is the only team to win a set against Gridley during the streak.

“We were consistent, and our defense was successful, which allowed us to run an offense,” Ayon said.

She added that the team consists of strong hitters and when they are flowing good on offense, they have been successful.

The Lady Bulldogs next game is Monday, October 3, at 6 p.m. in a non-league match versus the Colusa RedHawks (18-7, 5-2 Sacramento Valley League). Gridley lost the previous meeting when they played one another in the Dixon tournament on September 3, where Colusa won the match 2-1.

Next week has a full slate of home matches for the Lady Bulldogs, beginning with Colusa. The next night, Gridley has a BVL matchup against Las Plumas (6-16, 0-1 BVL) of Oroville. Then two days later, the Lady Bulldogs will attempt to get revenge against Orland. Both matches on Tuesday and Thursday begin at 6:30 p.m.