Bulldogs hope to whack Weed

It's 115 miles and a slow bus ride from Weed to Los Molinos, and the Bulldogs are going to do everything they can to make sure the Cougars have an even longer trip back up the highway thinking about a loss.

Los Molinos High is the No. 2 seed in the Northern Section Division V playoffs, and after resting through a first-round bye, welcomes seventh-seeded Weed to town on Tuesday.

The Cougars went just 7-5 in the Shasta Cascade League and sport an overall mark of 17-10. They advanced with a Sweep of Portola in the first round.

Los Molinos (33-7-1, 9-3 Five Star League) fell just one game shy of equaling its all-time record for wins in a season, which was set in 2010 when they finished 34-8-1.

The two teams did not meet during the season.

The Bulldogs' three-headed monster on the attack sprouted another one this season as Katie Morgan added 141 kills to Clarivel Castillo's 516, Emily Bailey's 280 and Breana Perez's 112. Castillo's kill percentage also ranked third in the section.

All those kills began with a set, and Kaitlyn Seaman dished out 7.4 assists per game, fifth best in the section.

The Bulldogs also defend well, with Bailey coming up with 144 blocks, placing her sixth.

The Weed roster numbers four seniors, three juniors and three sophomores, which should give the Bulldogs the edge in experience.

To say the Cougars are quiet on the attack is an understatement, as Castillo's total alone dwarfs Weed's team total of 497. Karene Chilson has 161 of those, but she is the only player on her team in triple figures.

Weed serves well, with a team percentage of 90.4, with Chilson's 62 aces leading the way.

While not at all overpowering on offense, the Cougars still teamed for 185 blocks, led by Lauren Gubetta's 46 and 31 from Elizabeth Stensaas.

Game time is 7 p.m.

CONTACT Craig Purcell at 824-1036 or cpurcell@tcnpress.com.