Victories remain elusive, but the Lady Redskins are making positive strides as the 2009 volleyball season winds toward its close.

Gustine was competitive in all three games of a 25-22, 25-18, 25-19 setback to Livingston Wednesday evening.

Bridgette Brady and Laken Leonard were team leaders for the Lady Redskins.

Brady was credited with seven aces and put down one kill. Leonard had two blocks and was credited with three digs.

“I thought we did a better job with our passing in general, and a better job of coming up with digs,” Coach Bryan Hall commented. “We maintained our composure better, and were able to stay in longer rallies as a result. We saw some improvement.”

Hall said his team is doing a better job of transitioning to the attack, but “we’re just not quite putting those opportunities away.”

Earlier in the week, Gustine faced rival Orestimba in a “Dig Pink” match where volleyball was joined by a focus on breast cancer awareness and fund-raising efforts for cancer research.

The Lady Redskins stayed with the WAC co-leaders, but Orestimba came away with a 25-11, 25-17, 25-17 victory.

The effort was much improved from the first time Gustine and Orestimba met this season, Hall noted.

Gustine’s frosh-soph Lady Redskins dropped a pair of well-played matches last week, falling to Orestimba 2-1 and suffering a 2-0 setback at the hands of Livingston.

Gustine is winding down its season.

The final round of WAC play began Monday, when Central Catholic visited Gustine. Gustine faced Hilmar Wednesday night. Next week, Gustine entertains Patterson on Monday and hosts Orestimba next Wednesday – which is also a “Dig Pink” night as well as the Lady Redskin’s home finale. Gustine wraps up the season Nov. 2 at Livingston.