It was just what the region's volleyball coaches didn't want to see with the CIF-Southern Section playoffs on the horizon: A short work week.

That's what they got, hastened by the area wildfires last week that spoiled air quality and forced county teams to curtail athletic activities.

"It was difficult," said Camarillo coach Rob Vandermay. "I had given the girls a day off anyway because they were coming off a great match (vs. Oxnard). We lost two more days because of the fires.

"You want to be playing your best volleyball this time of the year. You can't afford to miss too many practices."

Only a handful of regional teams were able to practice and/or play last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. By Thursday, normalcy returned to the schedules.

The Marmonte League played a full contingent of games on Monday catch up. Camarillo also played its makeup game Monday night and defeated Channel Islands.

Vandermay thinks are teams can stay sharp.

"There's still plenty of time to get the work in," he said. "If you're fortunate to make the CIF playoffs, you have to be ready."

Quite the Kidder: Her team is in a dogfight to reach the playoffs, but Moorpark High outside hitter Rachael Kidder is playing like a champion.

So says coach Brendan Hanson, who said the junior outside hitter continues to elevate her game.

"She's been playing incredibly well," said Hanson. "Every match, she seems to get better and better. She's does everything well."

The 6-foot-2 junior is such a talent that she committed to UCLA last summer, or two seasons before she will take the floor as a collegian.

Kidder is the team leader in kills at 235, or 3.7 kills per game. She's third on the team in blocks with 32, and second in digs with 142.

Moorpark is currently fourth in the league at 7-5 (16-10 overall), heading into closes matches against first-place Thousand Oaks and third-place Newbury Park.

"We've got to start playing better," said Hanson.

Spikes and volleys: Thousand Oaks fared well in the Redondo Power Classic on Saturday, going 5-1 and losing only to Flintridge Sacred Heart. ... Oxnard and Camarillo appear safe to finish 1-2, again, in the Pacific View League. Camarillo defeated Channel Islands on Monday night. ... Impact games on the remaining regular-season schedule appear down to one: Oaks Christian will play at Oak Park on Thursday night with the Tri-Valley League title on the line.