FORT BRAGG — Going the distance were the Fort Bragg Timberwolves and Clear Lake Cardinals in a battle of North Central League I varsity volleyball heavyweights Wednesday night in Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg emerged with a 25-23, 17-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-8 victory in the first of two league meetings between the teams this season. Both squads carried 7-1 records into Wednesday's action.

"It was a great match to watch," Clear Lake head coach Marci Psalmonds said. "They served better than we did the last two games and that was the difference. We played awesome defense that kept us alive, but we a made a few offensive mistakes and their serving was better."

Clear Lake's libero, Raina Clifton, registered an incredible 42 digs before it was over.

"That's just ridiculous," Psalmonds said of Clifton's dig total. "Unbelievable the stuff she was getting to. She rolled her ankle in the last game and hopefully she's good to go against St. Helena (Thursday in St. Helena)."

Jacie Clavelle of Fort Bragg did Clifton one better with 43 digs. She also had 12 kills and eight aces, and her serving gave the Timberwolves just enough of an edge down the stretch, according to Psalmonds.

Fort Bragg head coach Kim Mertle, a Clear Lake High graduate, said the Timberwolves also received a huge lift from Montana Robles, who had 35 digs.

"Her outstanding hustle is was what made this one of her best games yet," Mertle said of Robles. "Jacie Clavelle was a key asset all around."

Both teams left everything they had out on the court, according to Psalmonds, who said the Cardinals (7-2) need to play a strong second half to stay in contention for the league title. Clear Lake still has matches remaining league-leading Roseland University Prep (7-0) and Fort Bragg, the only teams that have beaten them in league play so far.

"We just need to keep at it and continue to play well," Psalmonds said. "We played great tonight. So did Fort Bragg."

Camrin Pivniska and Zoey Pepper led the Cardinals with nine kills apiece and Abby Mertle had eight kills and two blocks, Sierra Bruch seven kills and 13 assists, and Sidney Howe 21 assists.

Fort Bragg beat Clear Lake in the junior varsity match as well, 25-16, 25-10.

"They're a good-hitting club," Clear Lake head coach Morgan Psalmonds said of the Timberwolves. "We had some hard hits but it was like playing the old-style Anderson Valley teams. They returned everything we hit at them. Fort Bragg's program has come a long way."

Clear Lake leaders were Maddy Brewster with 13 digs and Quincy Paarsch with six digs. Rylie Andrews had two kills.