Senator volleyball into regional semifinal

Carson and Spanish Springs volleyball had become quite familiar with each other this season as both regular season meetings went the distance, needing five sets to determine the winner.

Monday evening, the Senators got the upper hand in the opening round of the Class 5A North regional playoffs, knocking off the Cougars in four sets – 25-19, 18-25, 25-22, 25-18.

It was an impressive display from the Senators, who have won five of their last six matches.

“It was an offensively strong night for us, but I have to give it to defense. We made some really good scrappy saves,” said Carson High head coach Brittany Witter. “We made some adjustments around the block.”

Carson and Spanish Springs split the opening two sets, but the third set was where the Senators took control.

Hannah Gerow served a pair of aces accompanied by two Abby Franco kills, allowing Carson to pull in front 14-8.

Another kill from Abby Drysdale gave the Senators a 16-8 edge in the third set and, at least for a moment, made it feel like Carson was going to run away with the set handedly.

Spanish Springs didn’t roll over, rallying to win nine of the next 10 points and tied the set at 17-all, prompting a Carson timeout.

“My message to them is always ‘let it go,’” said Witter. “I try to come in and tell them to start fresh.”

The quick stoppage worked for the Senators, who put together eight of the next 13 points to take the set, including three kills over the span from Emma Sanders.

Corralling Spanish Springs’ third set rally kept the confidence in the Senators’ end of the floor, as Carson never trailed in the fourth set.

Tied at 6-6, Sanders deposited three more kills over the next seven points to help the royal blue and white gain an 11-8 advantage.

Franco smashed a kill off the hardwood to push Carson’s lead to 14-10 before a dump from Julie Salanoa gave the Senators’ a 17-13 lead.

The final point ended with Carson’s all-around phenom, Abby Franco, tipping the ball into an open spot on the floor and sealing the win.

Post match, Witter said Gerow’s serving run in the third set along with her play Monday night was one of the main reasons Carson was able to come out on top.

“Exceptional game from Hannah. She was the MVP of the game for me. Her serves saved us a few times,” said Witter.

UP NEXT: No. 4 Carson will travel to No. 1 Reno tonight (Wednesday) to take on the Huskies in the regional semifinal. The winner Wednesday will advance to the regional final and punch their ticket to next week’s Class 5A state tournament. Reno won both meetings in the regular season in four sets. Wednesday's semifinal will start at 6 p.m.

“I know we are going to need more energy to have a chance to beat Reno,” said Witter.

(Carson High's Hannah Gerow leaps to serve against Spanish Springs Monday night. Gerow had several aces in the Senators' four-set win over the Cougars in the opening round of the Class 5A North regional playoffs. Carter Eckl / Nevada Appeal)

SENATOR GIRLS SOCCER DEFEATED BY MCQUEEN

Carson High girls soccer accomplished its season long goal of making the playoffs, but were bounced in the opening round against top-seeded McQueen Monday, 3-0.

The Senators end the season with an 8-10-3 overall record and will graduate seven seniors from this season’s team in Addy Morgan, Ashley Waiksnoris, Ashley Orozco, Alondra Carillo, Elayna Quintero, Jailey Tijerina and Dianna Torres.

HUG ENDS SENATORS’ SEASON

The Carson High School boys soccer team saw its 2024 fall campaign come to a close Tuesday evening in a 1-0 loss to the top-seeded Hug Hawks.

The Senators were even with the Hawks through the first half, but Hug opened the second half with the only goal of the contest.

Carson goalie Joshua Lopez saved a Hug penalty kick in the 65^th minute to keep the Senators’ postseason dreams alive, but Carson couldn’t find the game-tying goal.

The Senators end the year with a 6-8-4 overall record and will lose a major portion of their roster with 13 seniors departing after the season.

Those seniors include Ellan Ortiz, Ricardo Plascencia-Flores, Kael Walt, Trigo Burciaga, Jaden Gomez, Anthony Rios, Oswaldo Lepe, Angel Vega Alvarez, Johan Lizarraga, Oscar Manriquez, Enrique Torres, Victor Calderon, Joseph Garcia Cruz, and Lopez.