ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Football is not the only high school sport played during the fall. Girls volleyball has been played since late August.

And just like football, they have been playing out-of-league teams before getting into league competition, which started Wednesday, Sept. 2.  

There will be high schools, like Cosumnes Oaks and Laguna Creek, that will continue to play out-of-league teams, just not as often.

Sheldon, on the road to take on Monterey Trail, was 4-1 on the season while Monterey Trail was 3-0. Their match was back and forth from the start, with both teams trading sets until the fifth and deciding one.

But Monterey Trail pulled through in the final set to win 3-2. That lifted the Mustangs to 4-0 and gave Sheldon its second loss, dropping them to 4-2. 

Elk Grove hosted Franklin, with the Thundering Herd coming into the match 4-2 on the season and the Wildcats looking to get their first win.

Elk Grove won the first two sets, looking for a sweep. But Franklin fought back, winning the next two sets and evening the match 2-2 before Elk Grove took the final one.

That lifted Elk Grove to 5-2 on the season and commenced a three-game winning streak. Franklin – seeking its first win – has lost six.

Cosumnes Oaks traveled to Pleasant Grove where the Eagles, 4-5 on the season, were looking to get back to .500. The Wolfpack, 2-3, was also looking to improve its record. 

This match, like Sheldon and Elk Grove, was a back-and-forth contest before Cosumnes Oaks won 3-2.

This pushed the Wolfpack back to .500 and 3-3 on the season. The Eagles dropped to 4-6. 

Laguna Creek was the only school to continue out-of-league competition, as the Cardinals traveled to Mira Loma. Laguna Creek came into the game 1-1 on the season. This was Mira Loma’s first game.

The Cardinals came out hot and kept up the momentum. They won three straight sets, lifting them to 2-1 while Mira Loma will start the season 0-1. 

Laguna Creek was expected to start its in-league play on Sept. 9 against Pleasant Grove.