McArthur – Last year’s Shasta Cascade League co-champions, the Etna Lady Lions and Fall River Lady Bulldogs, squared off in both team’s SCL opener, on Tuesday. Early in game one, it appeared that that the match would be a battle befitting defending champions, but it quickly turned in Fall River’s favor, with the Bulldogs taking the match 3-0.

Etna jumped out to a 4-0 lead in game-one, behind a pair of kills from Claire Pynes and an ace by Annaleisa Nadig. The Bulldogs came back to tie the score at 4-4, and the teams exchanged short lived leads, until the squads were tied at 6-6. Then, Fall River went on a 15-4 run to go up 21-10. The Bull Dogs went on to win 25-15.

Etna started strong in game-two, leading most of the game up to a score of 18-15. But again, the Bulldogs went on a big run, 10-0, to win 25-18.

It was Fall River that started quick in game-three, leading by as many as three points. However, the Lady Lions fought back to tie the game at 14-14, on a Nadig ace. The Lions went up 16-15 on a kill by Pynes, and again 17-16 on a Nadig kill. Fall River, once again, made a run, 8-1, to take a 24-18 lead. Etna climbed back to within three points, on two kills and a block by Pynes, but the Bulldogs got the final point to win 25-21.

Pynes led the Lady Lions’ attack with 14 kills, and 14 digs. Nadig had 6 kills, 18 digs and two aces. Sarah Loogman recorded seven blocks and 11 digs.

The JV Lady Lions also fell to the Bulldogs, 2-1 (25-22, 22-25, 10-15)

Etna (7-11-1) hosts the Weed Lady Cougars (1-5) on Thursday, September 25, with the JVS starting at 5:30.