Excitement was in the air, as two-time defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division II champion El Camino invaded Thunder nation for a preseason volleyball nonconference showdown last week. Both clubs were hoping to maintain early success as Rocklin High school (3-0) and the Eagles (2-0) renewed their rivalry.

El Camino dominated early, sweeping games one and two, but the girls in blue fought back to knot the contest 2-2 and set up a game five finale. At that point, The Eagles had totaled 84 point, the Thunder 87.

“We were a little tired out there early being our third game in a row,” said Rocklin head coach Dave Muscarella, “But we made adjustments on offense and picked up our defense to what they were doing.”

In spite of Rocklin’s potential fatigue, El Camino seemed to be the team running out of gas. After dropping the first two sets 25-15 and 25-22, the rolling Thunder began knocking Eagles out of the sky.

Muscarella encouraged his team to “pick it up” and his charges began to do just that. After trading the lead several times in set three, Rocklin expanded its lead to 21-13. El Camino rallied a bit, but eventually fell 25-18.

Set four started as a dogfight, but a 15-10 run enabled Rocklin to take the set 25-16. The Eagles had landed.

 “(It) always seems like it’s the two of us at the end,” said Muscarella of the rivalry between the two clubs, “I’ve been there facing [El Camino], but these girls have never beaten them before.”

The Thunder went on a 11-1 run in that last set and eventually ended it with a 15-6 victory.

Rocklin defeated Placer 3-1 Sept. 4.

ROCKLIN 3, WHITNEY 1

Rocklin and Whitney high schools teamed up for the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Foundation Game last week with the Thunder gaining a 3-1 decision in the annual fundraiser.

Whitney’s youth showed against Rocklin’s experience losing the first set 25-12, but the Wildcats clawed back into contention.

“We did a lot of good things for being very young,” said Whitney’s head coach James Todd, “We were up the whole second set, but missed some crucial serves there at the end.”

Whitney had five freshmen starting. Todd said they played very well behind freshmen Samantha Shelton’s nine kills and 10 blocks in her first varsity game.  Senior Mackensie Berlin led the Wildcats with 13 kills and 13 digs.

 “We played up and down,” said Muscarella, “We came out strong in the first set, but it became a dogfight there during the second set.”

Muscarella said experience helped the Thunder pull away for the victory.

Rocklin sophmore outside hitter Maddie Haynes had 10 kills and senior Halle Williams had nine digs for the Thunder.

ROCKLIN 3, EL CAMINO 2

Eagles             25        25        18        16        6 – 2

Thunder         15        22        25        25        15 – 3