It’s close, but Analy nets win over Petaluma

Petaluma and Analy squeezed every possible bit of emotion and excitement out of their showdown volleyball match Thursday evening before Analy finally prevailed in the decisive final game.

Playing in front of a boisterous crowd that included as many Petaluma fans as Analy rooters, Petaluma dominated the first game, 25-15; Analy bounced back to win the second game, 25-19; Analy took the third game, 25-22; Petaluma forced a final game by winning, 25-22; and Analy prevailed in the final game, 15-10.

The result left both teams with 8-1 Sonoma County League records, and tied atop the SCL standings, each having held serve with home-court victories. Overall, Petaluma is 21-3, while Analy is 16-8.

The difference Thursday in Sebastopol was Analy’s victory in the pivotal third game, combined with a 5-1 Lady Tigers’ run to close out the decisive fifth game.

Analy went into the match fired up and seeking revenge for a four-game loss to the Lady Trojans earlier on the Petaluma court. It didn’t take Petaluma long to quell some of that emotion.

With Larissa Goodanetz and Kaitlyn Dunaway ruling the net, Petaluma outscored Analy 11-2 midway through the first game and went on to a dominating victory.

Things turned around in the second game. It was Analy with Claire Sullivan and Briana Adviento leading the way, who controlled the net. Petaluma, with Maddi Eshoo providing strong hits, trailed only 15-14, but Analy scored four of the next five points, and put the game away on a strong kill by Margaret Barnes.

The third game was pivotal. It was also back-and forth with momentum seeing to change with every serve. Analy finally forged into a 20-15 lead and seemed on the verge of putting things away when Eshoo and Hayley Ross sparked a Petaluma comeback that cut the margin to 22-20.

Analy hit its way back in front, 24-21. The ever-present Dunaway slammed home a point for Petaluma to make it 24-22, but Analy closed out the game with a double block at the net.

Facing elimination, Petaluma refused to surrender. With Jenna Bailey and Courtney Millard digging out the hardest of the Analy hits, and Dunaway, Eshoo and Ross playing smart at the net, Petaluma dominated the fourth game, but still found itself tied at 22-22.

A bad serve into the net, an impressive double block by Dunaway and Amy Swanson closed out the game and set up a fifth-game showdown.

Inspired play by Dunaway, Ross and Eshoo kept the Lady Trojans hopeful right up until a couple of critical mistakes, combined with heady front-line play by Barnes and Sullivan allowed Analy the final celebration.