The Whitney High boys volleyball team entered Friday night’s game against cross-town rival Rocklin undefeated at 4-0 and, despite some roadblocks the Thunder threw out, the Wildcats swept Rocklin to remain undefeated.

Any thoughts the Thunder might have had of knocking the ’Cats from the ranks of the unbeaten soon began to fade. Rocklin miscues and Whitney strengths began to emerge, as the Wildcats wrapped up the rivalry in three straight sets.

 “It’s our fourth game of the week,” said Whitney head coach Kirsten Gideon-Parker, “They’re excited for Rocklin. It’s our rivalry game, and we’re excited to end the week strong.”

Whitney opened the game on an 8-2 run that featured Rocklin mistakes. Kirk Basquez and Kalen Stewart-Harris stepped up to helped increase the Wildcat lead to 13-4.

Still, the Wildcats couldn’t sail away with the set victory, as the Thunder displayed great defense with the help of Vance Gregg and cut the lead to 17-13. But Whitney pulled themselves together and rallied for an 8-1 run to win the opening set 25-14.

Rocklin used the help of Wildcats’ service errors to keep the second game close. Although the Thunder stayed within striking distance, the boys in blue were never able to take a lead.

Whitney’s Nolan Squyers then helped his club finish the set with a 13-4 run and nab another set victory, 25-13.

“You see moments of greatness,” said first-year Rocklin head coach Ray DeLeon. “When we get a few points, we ease up and couldn’t recover. That’s where we need to improve on in the future.”

The ‘Cats hit parade continued as David Parker and Stewart-Harris led the assault. Whitney’s power on offense and defense resulted in a 19-9 lead in the third set, as the Thunder couldn’t slow the run.

Despite one 8-3 run by Rocklin led by Trent Peterson, the Thunder couldn’t overcome its mistakes and the potent play of their hosts. The Wildcats capped the three-set sweep 25-18.

“Our substitutes are trying to get accustomed to the starters and we got complacent,” said Gideon-Parker, “We think we’ll be OK and win the set; we just need to learn not to be complacent.”

source:  http://www.placerherald.com/article/wildcats-look-strong-opener-shut-out-over-florin