GVB: Cate opens season with a loss

Cate dropped its volleyball season opener at St. Bonaventure, 25-17, 25-19, 25-16, on Thursday.

The Seraphs were paced by Haven Hill’s 36 kills and four aces.

“St. Bonnie had one player that made their team,” Cate coach Greg Novaks said. “She destroyed us; we couldn’t block her, dig her, or throw her off balance. She is a legitimate, well-rounded player.”

Delaney Mayfield had 10 kills, Peyton Shelburne four and Ciana Smiley added three for the defending CIF 4A champions.

“I reminded the team that we just completed our tryouts yesterday and dove into a match against the fourth seed in 4AA. We still have a lot of work and fine tuning to do; we are a work in progress,” said Novak.

He added: “The season opener was a good reality check for the team. After losing only one match last year, it was good for us to experience an early loss to humble us and make us hungry to get even better.”