The Sutter Huskies girls volleyball team celebrates their first Sac-Joaquin Section title on Saturday, Nov. 7 after sweeping Bear River in straight sets. Photo by Steven Bryla

SACRAMENTO, CA (YSBC) - The Sutter Huskies girls volleyball team brought home their first blue banner of Saturday, Nov. 7 after sweeping the Bear River Bruins in straight sets (25-23, 25-21, 25-15).

Sutter clinched their first section title in the program since 2015 and the first since crossing into the Sac-Joaquin Section in 2022.

For the Huskies, there was a lot this group has endured and dug deep on to have the opportunity to celebrate on the campus of Cosumnes River College.

The Sutter Huskies clinched their first section title since 2015 with a sweep over Bear River on Saturday, Nov. 7. Photo by Steven Bryla

Sutter avenged their 2025 defeat to Bear River on Saturday and won their 19th straight match in a row, 17 coming through sweeps.

Although the Huskies have been successful at the end of the matches, Sutter has faced adversity multiple times throughout the impressive run.

Huskies head coach Elizabeth Bhatti expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that multiple practice scenarios have portrayed deficits and it felt natural for the girls to be in that situation.

Sutter senior Kalena DeLaCerna (9) sets a pass during the Huskies’ victory against Bear River on Saturday, Nov. 7. Photo by Steven Bryla

Bhatti alluded to the deficit Sutter faced in the third set of the SJS semifinals versus Summerville where the Huskies trailed 8-0 and 15-5 before they snagged the momentum back and swept the Bears.

“Our focus in that mind is strictly one point at a time and to have the trust within one another to have the calmness and ability to get out of the situation,” Bhatti said.

Sutter junior Reece Keslinger (25) serves the ball on Saturday, Nov. 7 in the Huskies’ win over Bear River. Photo by Steven Bryla

She added that the 10 seniors have been an intricate part of the team throughout their time together as their chemistry has been built throughout the years in the Sutter program.

“They know each other's tendencies, they know the other's attitude and know when to push each other,” Bhatti said.

Huskies senior opposite hitter Alyvia Brown led Sutter with 12 kills and was followed by senior outside hitter Taylor Palmer (11) and junior outside hitter Kenzy Shannon (10).

Shannon led the team with nine digs in the win. Senior setter Kalena DeLaCerna had 17 assists and junior Reece Keslinger had 18.

Sutter head coach Elizabeth Bhatti celebrates her first blue banner at Sutter in her sixth season at the helm of the program. Photo by Steven Bryla

DeLaCerna told YSBC that the key to the win over Bear River was to keep a positive mindset the entire match.

“We weren’t just playing for ourselves individually, we were playing for everyone around us,” DeLaCerna said.

Brown added that she felt confident in the entire team and their abilities as a squad.

She added the compassion they have for one another and the tight bond they share as a lot of them have played within the club with one another.

Sutter senior Taylor Palmer (12) receives the ball on Saturday, Nov. 7 during the Huskies’ sweep against Bear River. Photo by Steven Bryla

Palmer added that they were all willing to leave it all on the court for one another.

Sutter was given the No. 8 seed in the CIF State Division IV playoffs.

The Huskies made it to the regional semifinals before the Colusa RedHawks defeated them at home for the opportunity to play in the regional finals.

Palmer told YSBC that they just need to focus on point-by-point and just remember what has made them successful throughout the season.

Sutter hosted Foothill (Palo Cedro) on Tuesday and if the Huskies were successful, they would have headed to Reedley on Thursday and taken on Immanuel.

Sutter junior Kenzy Shannon (10) delivers a strike during the Huskies’ sweep against Bear River on Saturday, Nov. 7. Photo by Steven Bryla