LCA Falls In Volleyball Sectional
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Anthony [email protected]
While the match was historic for the school, the outcome was forgettable, as LCA fell to defending champion and host Blackhawk Christian in three games, 25-23, 25-3, 25-21.
Despite entering Class 1A Sectional 52 as the favorite to repeat, Blackhawk (24-6) actually had trouble with LCA (12-9) in the opening game.
Going back and forth, Blackhawk’s biggest lead was three points and LCA actually led as late as 16-15 and tied it 23-23, but Blackhawk got the next two points for the win.
“In the first set, they weren’t serving that well,” LCA coach Glenn Goldsmith said about Blackhawk. “Then, they started getting some deep hits and we weren’t able to play good offense off of that and they got momentum.”
The tough first game may have been a bit of a shock to the Blackhawk faithful.
“Lakeland came out with a ton of heart,” Blackhawk coach Sarah Ernst said. “They came out believing the entire time that they were going to take the game away from us. I would say, if you looked at the stats beforehand, you would have said they were the underdog team. But the way they played and heart they had, and their talent, I was really impressed with them. They did a great job for their first sectional berth here.”
After playing Blackhawk tough in the first game, LCA was overwhelmed in the second, falling in a 5-0 hole before going on to lose 25-3.
“Our girls are very emotional girls,” Goldsmith said. “If they’re up, they’re up. If they’re down, they’re just down on themselves so hard.”
The tough times continued in the third game, as LCA fell behind 16-5 before mounting a comeback that resulted in the Lady Cougars taking a 19-18 lead.
“We did just what our game plan was – keep them out of their rotation,” Goldsmith said. “Anybody you play, you have to keep them out of their system. Their system is, bring the center and just stand her there and let the two girls in the back play. We made them move and we made them play and that kept them out of system. Otherwise, if we let them get into it, (sophomore Marla Bleed) could pound the ball.”
Despite the comeback, Blackhawk regained control to win 25-21.
Bleed’s power hitting resulted in a match-high 10 kills, while freshman teammate Madison Byrd had seven.
LCA was led by senior Frani Gerst’s eight kills and sophomore Paige Price’s 12 assists.
With the win, Blackhawk advances to Saturday’s 11 a.m semifinal against Fort Wayne Canterbury, which defeated Howe Military 25-5, 25-12, 25-15 Tuesday.
Even with the loss, LCA did take a step, taking part in its first sectional match and got plenty of fan support.
“I haven’t heard a gym that loud all year,” Goldsmith said about the fans who made the trip to Fort Wayne. “They were loud and crazy. Even in our gym, they weren’t that loud.”
FW BLACKHAWK DEF. LAKELAND CHRISTIAN 25-23, 25-3, 25-21
Aces – Allison Burch (B) 4, Renee Pulver (B) 3; Assists – Pulver (B) 13, Burch (B) 12, Paige Price (L) 12; Blocks – Victoria Littrell (B) 3, Madison Byrd (B) 3; Digs – Summer Sordelet (B) 18, Sara Miller (B) 15, Frani Gerst (L) 3, Julianne Haines (L) 3; Kills – Marta Bleed (B) 10, Gerst (L) 8, Byrd (B) 7, Mekenzie Buhr (B) 5, Jessica Goss (L) 4
Records: Blackhawk 24-6, LCA 12-9[[In-content Ad]]
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While the match was historic for the school, the outcome was forgettable, as LCA fell to defending champion and host Blackhawk Christian in three games, 25-23, 25-3, 25-21.
Despite entering Class 1A Sectional 52 as the favorite to repeat, Blackhawk (24-6) actually had trouble with LCA (12-9) in the opening game.
Going back and forth, Blackhawk’s biggest lead was three points and LCA actually led as late as 16-15 and tied it 23-23, but Blackhawk got the next two points for the win.
“In the first set, they weren’t serving that well,” LCA coach Glenn Goldsmith said about Blackhawk. “Then, they started getting some deep hits and we weren’t able to play good offense off of that and they got momentum.”
The tough first game may have been a bit of a shock to the Blackhawk faithful.
“Lakeland came out with a ton of heart,” Blackhawk coach Sarah Ernst said. “They came out believing the entire time that they were going to take the game away from us. I would say, if you looked at the stats beforehand, you would have said they were the underdog team. But the way they played and heart they had, and their talent, I was really impressed with them. They did a great job for their first sectional berth here.”
After playing Blackhawk tough in the first game, LCA was overwhelmed in the second, falling in a 5-0 hole before going on to lose 25-3.
“Our girls are very emotional girls,” Goldsmith said. “If they’re up, they’re up. If they’re down, they’re just down on themselves so hard.”
The tough times continued in the third game, as LCA fell behind 16-5 before mounting a comeback that resulted in the Lady Cougars taking a 19-18 lead.
“We did just what our game plan was – keep them out of their rotation,” Goldsmith said. “Anybody you play, you have to keep them out of their system. Their system is, bring the center and just stand her there and let the two girls in the back play. We made them move and we made them play and that kept them out of system. Otherwise, if we let them get into it, (sophomore Marla Bleed) could pound the ball.”
Despite the comeback, Blackhawk regained control to win 25-21.
Bleed’s power hitting resulted in a match-high 10 kills, while freshman teammate Madison Byrd had seven.
LCA was led by senior Frani Gerst’s eight kills and sophomore Paige Price’s 12 assists.
With the win, Blackhawk advances to Saturday’s 11 a.m semifinal against Fort Wayne Canterbury, which defeated Howe Military 25-5, 25-12, 25-15 Tuesday.
Even with the loss, LCA did take a step, taking part in its first sectional match and got plenty of fan support.
“I haven’t heard a gym that loud all year,” Goldsmith said about the fans who made the trip to Fort Wayne. “They were loud and crazy. Even in our gym, they weren’t that loud.”
FW BLACKHAWK DEF. LAKELAND CHRISTIAN 25-23, 25-3, 25-21
Aces – Allison Burch (B) 4, Renee Pulver (B) 3; Assists – Pulver (B) 13, Burch (B) 12, Paige Price (L) 12; Blocks – Victoria Littrell (B) 3, Madison Byrd (B) 3; Digs – Summer Sordelet (B) 18, Sara Miller (B) 15, Frani Gerst (L) 3, Julianne Haines (L) 3; Kills – Marta Bleed (B) 10, Gerst (L) 8, Byrd (B) 7, Mekenzie Buhr (B) 5, Jessica Goss (L) 4
Records: Blackhawk 24-6, LCA 12-9[[In-content Ad]]
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