Gridley sophomore Iris Counihan (5) smacks the ball during the Bulldogs' loss to Colusa on Monday, Sept. 29. Photo by Chris Pedigo 

GRIDLEY, CA (YSBC) – The Gridley Bulldogs girls volleyball team started Westside League play with great momentum as they conquered straight-set victories over Corning and Oroville from Sept. 23-25.

Gridley head coach Elizabeth Ayon expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that the goal was to get off to a good start and build off of it match by match. 

She added that the Bulldogs have a lot of grit and fight in them. Those attributes of this Gridley squad were displayed in the 41st Annual Carmichael Invitational Volleyball Tournament (CIVT) on Sept. 20 in Sacramento.

Ayon told YSBC that the CIVT small school was the largest tournament her team has ever participated in as it had 39 teams in the field. 

Gridley sophomore defensive specialist Madison Carey (7) serves a ball during the Bulldogs' defeat to Colusa on Monday, Sept. 29. Photo by Chris Pedigo

The Bulldogs went 3-2 in the tournament and opened with a tough draw first with Salesian Preparatory from Richmond in the first match.

Gridley took them to three sets but lost. The Bulldogs tallied three-straight wins over El Dorado, Middletown and Durham and reached the semifinals of the championship bracket before they fell to Linden in straight sets.

Ayon expressed to YSBC the grit and drive they showed in the tournament is what they will need to transfer into Westside League play for the rest of the season. 

She added that all nine of her players on the team have a specific role on the court and that is what makes this a special team.

Gridley senior setter Isabel Santillan (4) sets a pass during the Bulldogs' loss to Colusa on Monday, Sept. 29. Photo by Chris Pedigo

The Bulldogs have a big test tonight as they are scheduled to host the Orland Trojans, who were the No. 3 ranked team in the Northern Section as of Sept. 28. 

The two have been on top of the former Butte Valley League for the past few seasons and battled back-and-forth with one another.

Prior to the match at Farmers Hall in Gridley, Orland has won six of the last eight meetings since 2022.  

The Bulldogs are scheduled to host Live Oak on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

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