10/14/2026
Lady Bluebird Volleyball: Lady Pintos Outlast Lady Bluebirds: Cole Camp traveled east October 12th to California for 3 levels of volleyball action. C team play began at 5 p.m. and Cole Camp led briefly 6-5. Still a close game as California moved ahead 16 - 14. From there though the Pintos ran away with a 9-1 string and took the first set 25-15.
Second set was Cole Camp 6-5 early, and their effort improved mid-set. An 8-1 offensive push earned Cole Camp a bit of breathing room and they held it to finish ahead 25-20.
The Pintos burst through the starting gate with a 12-2 run in the JV game. Bralynn Porter served 10 of those. Likely a freshman though the game program did not list which grade the California players are in. Trailing 17-3, Cole Camp regained some ground as Kaylan Barnes served 4 including an ace. Addison Brockman a couple hits and Lauren Hesse good defensive work. Narrowed the margin to 6 late, but California held for a 25-18 win in the 1st JV set.
California led the 2nd set 4-2 and still ahead 15-11 just past halfway. Hesse with a couple well-placed tips at the net helped Cole Camp draw even at 15 each. But a 6 pt answer for the Pintos immediately following stalled the comeback attempt. Melanie Dieckman a kill making it a 2 point deficit, but that was as close as Cole Camp could make it. California 25-22.
Now for the varsity contest. Andrea Dieckman with several kills early, though California (14-10-4) still moved ahead 13-5. But a nice 5 point string by Cole Camp with Riley Raetz serving narrowed the score to 14-12. Madilynn Ogle, Kristin Carl and Raetz were taking a beating on the back row defensively, and Dakota Dieckman a beautiful front-row block late. California 25-21 in the first set.
Cole Camp led 6-5 in the 2nd set when an official blew his whistle indicating and infraction. A rather unusual arm signal was used by the official to describe the foul. Not sure what it was, and by the look on the other officials face, he wasn't sure either. Regardless a strong mid-2nd set as Cole Camp moved ahead 17-10. However the game was all tied again at 19. Couple scores by Dakota and California returns that went under the net rather than over and Cole Camp won 25-22.
Andrea with a big block of California's leader in kills Natalie Booth early third set. Olivia Vansel scooped up a ball and then a block at the net as Cole Camp led 6-4. Lady Bluebirds still up 16 - 14, then a painful stretch to watch. The Pintos reeled off 8 in a row to lead 23-16 and soon took the third set 25-21.
First 3 sets very competitive as expected by all in attendance. So how does the 4th set play out? After Cole Camp claimed the first point, Ogle served 11 in a row! No doubt she has done that before, but against a strong California team? Andrea with kills and blocks up front, Aspen Meyer and Carl excellent work on the backline. Cole Camp 25-11 in the 4th set.
Fifth set and the Pintos jumped ahead 6-1 and what would be a 15-point limit. Kills by Vansel, Andrea, Carl and Dakota brought Cole Camp back within one before California took the deciding set 15-10.
Kills: Andrea 21, Dakota 12, Vansel 6.
Digs: Carl 19, Raetz 14, Ogle 13, Vansel 10, Meyer 9, Loganbill 6.
Assists: Ogle 45.
Blocks: Andrea 7, Dakota 6, Vansel 6, Espey 4.
Thank you to Arthur Keuper for writing this article!!