Lindsey Ruddins’ 15 kills helped lead the third-ranked Aliso Niguel girls volleyball team, the preseason county No. 1 team, to a 25-22, 25-16, 25-20 road victory over top-ranked Santa Margarita (16-3).
Ruddins also had six blocks. Kathryn Plummer had 10 kills and 18 digs. McKenna Ross added nine kills for the Wolverines (10-1).
This is the first loss for the Eagles in the best three-of-five format.
Santa Margarita will visit Huntington Beach Thursday. Aliso Niguel will host San Juan Hills Wednesday.
In a nonleague action
No. 6 Mater Dei 3, Northwood 1: Brittany Welsh had eight kills and 10 blocks and the trio of Siena Secrist, Shannon Scully and Makena Martin had nine kills apiece to lead the Monarchs (8-9) in a 25-16, 25-18, 21-25, 25-16 victory.
Payton Chang had seven kills and 20 assists.
No. 8 JSerra 3, Dana Hills 1: Gigi Hernandez led the Lions (7-4) with 14 kills and Kayla Demari added 10 and Haylee Gasser added nine and five blocks in a 25-20, 25-22, 21-25, 25-16 road victory.
Tesoro 3, Laguna Hills 0: Sierra Bates led the Titans (6-2) with 15 kills in the 25-22, 25-17, 25-15 road victory. Macy Looft had 21 assists and eight aces.
In the Academy League
St. Margaret’s 3, Crean Lutheran 0: The Tartans (10-1, 1-0) kicked off league play with a 27-25, 25-12, 25-13 road victory.
Emily Miller led the Tartans with 12 kills. Charlotte Duran had 35 assists, four aces and six digs.
