The Denair Coyotes volleyball team took a bite out of the Gustine Reds on Wednesday, sweeping all three sets in the home game.

Denair won all three games with scores of 25-12, 25-15 and 25-17.

Despite what the scoreboard reflected, both squads were fairly matched and kept long rallies going between points.

“I believe we were pretty-well matched with Denair,” said Gustine Coach Toni Adams. “Our girls really did come together tonight, especially in the third match.”

Just prior to the third match of the night, at least half of the Gustine squad had to leave because the bus had to depart at a pre-set time. The only girls who could stay to play in the third match were the ones who had parents in the crowd that could take them home.

“Half of our team had to leave,” Adams said. “Not having the players in the right positions was a challenge but I was impressed at how they came together and played.”

“Gustine’s team does have some really good players, as do we,” said Denair Coach Marie Stucker. “It’s just one of those things of being able to put everything together. We did really well at passing and serving tonight. I tell my girls if you can’t pass the ball then you can’t play the game.”

Denair’s victory was assisted by their getting the ball to fall just in front of the backline. Gustine, which was playing more forward in the first two sets, found themselves diving to try and get the ball before it hit the floor.

“We try to always work on moving the ball to where their defense isn’t,” Stucker said. “It is very hard to get the ball to that back line. We practice moving it around but when it lands there it is not always planned. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.”

Denair made a quick march for the win in set 1 when Madison Gonsalves went on a straight set of serves that notched them 12 unanswered points, bringing the score to 17-7. Denair finished the first set shortly thereafter, 25-12.

In the second set, Gustine’s Shandel Aguilera Castillo and Sokaiya Senaiya Him worked as a good duo with Him setting the ball up for Castillo to send it over the net, resulting in a few kills.

However, once it went over the net, it was being met by Denair’s Piper Northcutt, who proved to be a formidable blocker while racking up multiple kills. Within 10 minutes Denair led 15-6.

Denair won the second set 25-15.

In the third set, Gustine had far fewer players to put on the court, but managed to hold steady with Denair especially with Gustine’s Leilah Fara playing further back on the court and keeping the ball in play. Even with the change in formation, Denair took the final set 25-17.

Stucker said her two outside hitters, Abby Hernandez and Cloey Ellerd, proved pivotal in the victory for Denair.

“They both did a good job on the outside and hitting the ball,” Stucker said. “Honestly, all the girls really came together tonight.”

For Gustine, Adams pointed to Martha Torres as a star in keeping the team focused and motivated.

“She was great at encouraging the team to keep going, even though we had issues with the different positions,” Adams said.

Denair is 10-6 overall and 3-3 in league, putting them in fourth place. They will next take on Le Grand on the road at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7.

Gustine is 2-11 overall and 1-5 in league, putting them in seventh place. They will next take on Modesto Christian on the road at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7.