Renegades start 2-0, Take Napa Valley Classic

Renegades start 2-0, Take Napa Valley Classic

The season kicked off on Wednesday, September 1 with a visit to wine country for the Napa Valley Classic Tournament to take on the host Storm and the Cougars of Lassen College. The Renegades started off slow against the Lassen Cougars as the two teams traded off point for point to start set 1. Strong serving and backrow play ultimately took the Renegades over the top to take set 1 by only two points. The Renegades would then settle into a rhythm in sets two and three that allowed their agressive serving and defense to lead the way. Powered by the digging of setter Ruby Santos, defensive specialist Dana Lo, and hitter Gabriella Sanguinetti, each of which contributing 9 digs, the Renegades would ultimately take sets two and three and the match (25-23, 25-12, 25-21). 

Match #2 versus hosts Napa Valley proved to be a challenging task as the Storm brought a formidable defense and different offensive options. Both teams would also go point for point in the early parts of each set, exhanging leads throughout the whole match. But strong net play by the Renegades would ultimately decide the match. Led by the blocking of hitter Leilani Rodriguez, the Renegades would tally a total of 5 blocks, all coming from Rodriguez. Combined with the offensive contributions of Marlene-Alexia Perez de Vilchez with 13 kills and Clare Mannion Deal with 15 kills, the Renegades would take the match in straight sets (25-22, 25-23, 25-15). 

The Renegades start the season 2-0, and are looking to reschedule their canceled tournament originally schedule for September 3.