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Clovers top Cougars, advance to semifinals
South Putnam nipped 3-2 by Cascade
MONROVIA — Cloverdale advanced to the semifinals of the Monrovia Sectional volleyball tournament on Thursday night with a 3-0 win over North Putnam.
Cascade defeated South Putnam 3-2 in the other semifinal match.
Cloverdale and Cascade will play in Saturday’s second semifinal match, following the host Bulldogs against tournament favorite Covenant Christian.
In Thursday’s opener, South Putnam tied the first set at 16-16 on a sideout point, and sophomore Brianna Robinson took care of the rest — serving the final nine points for the win.
Cascade bounced back to take the second set 25-16, but the Eagles went up 2-1 by taking the third set 25-23 as Grace Burdge served the winning point.
Cascade scored the first six points of the fourth set, but Robinson had another string of six straight points to put her team up 17-16. Down 22-20, Burdge served three straight points for a 24-22 lead — but Cascade closed out the set with four straight points.
The Cadets led 11-7 in the final set, before South Putnam’s Miranda Bieghler served four straight points to tie the score.
Cascade scored the final four points, however, to claim the win.
The nightcap was not as close. Leading 3-2 in the first set, Cloverdale’s Hailey Thomas stepped to the service line and calmly served 22 consecutive points to give her team a 25-2 win.
North Putnam got off to a much better start in the second set, with Bradi Gierke serving the first four points.
The Cougars led 5-1 before Kenzie Stoltz stepped to the service line for the Clovers and served a pair of points to cut the gap to 5-4.
North Putnam edged its lead up to 12-9 and maintained a 3-point advantage at 17-14.
Senior Kiley Shedron then put Cloverdale ahead for good, serving four straight points for a 19-17 advantage.
Hannah Rady served the final point as the Clovers went ahead 2-0.
The final set went back and forth for several points, with the Cougars taking a 14-13 lead.
Thomas stepped to the serving line again, and served the final 12 points of the match to send the Clovers to the semifinals against Cascade.
Cloverdale (now 11-14) defeated the Cadets (7-22) 3-1 on Aug. 17.
South Putnam finished its season at 8-19, but will lose only one player from this year’s rosters.
North Putnam finished its season at 6-20 and will also return a majority of its team, with only two graduating seniors.
First semifinal match
Cascade 16 25 23 25 15
South Putnam 25 17 25 24 11
Second semifinal match
Cloverdale 25 25 25
North Putnam 2 20 14
