Lady Outlaws split matches on hardwood

The Lady Outlaws defeated Elmira at home in three straight sets with scores of 25-16, 25-6, and 25-21, on Tuesday, October 1. At home two days later they lost in four sets to top ranked Pleasant Hill (PH) with scores of 25-17, 26-28, 12-25, 15-25.

In Tuesday’s action, the first set against the Falcons was close until midway through the set when the Outlaws were able to pull away for the win. Back-to-back kills from Audrey Sybesma and back-to-back aces from Kathryn Scholl pulled the Outlaws to a 9-6 advantage. Sybesma had back-to-back kills again late in the set to put Sisters up 24-16. Elmira followed with a hitting error and the Outlaws recorded the win.

Holly Davis served three consecutive aces early in the second set to put the Outlaws on top 6-1, and soon they pushed to a 13-4 advantage. Late in the set Alli Fogarty tallied four aces and the set ended with a kill from Haven Heuberger.

Paityn Cotner served back-to-back aces in the third set to give the Outlaws a 6-4 lead, and later Ali Gibney made a nice block to put Sisters up 11-7. The Falcons battled back and the Outlaws found themselves down by four 14-18.

Kisten Elbek, Cotner, and Gibney all pitched in with a kill, and an ace from Jordyn Monaghan gave the Outlaws back the lead at 20-19. Sisters’ final three points for the win came off a kill from setter Davis, a kill from Gibney, and a Falcon error.

Davis finished the match with 31 assists and three aces. Scholl had 11 kills, Gibney tallied six, and Sybesma added five. Monaghan led the team with 10 digs, and Fogarty led the team with five aces on the night.

Coach Josh Kreunen said, “Everyone contributed on the court in the win tonight. We were very steady in serving and ball control and had multiple serving streaks to pull away in each set.”

On Thursday at home against PH the Outlaws won their first match by eight points. Fogarty had a couple of ace serves, and Gibney a kill to put the Outlaws on top 19-12, and from there Sisters pulled away for the win.

The second set was a battle from the start. Sisters had it tied at 7-7 and then the Billies went on a four-point run. Later, a block from Sybesma gave the Outlaws the go-ahead point at 14-13. Again, the Billies had a come-back rally and took a four point lead. Towards the end, Gibney stepped back to the service line and served four straight, including two aces, to put the Outlaws on top 25-24. Sisters couldn’t hold on and lost by two 26-28.

In the third, the Outlaws quickly went down 0-7. Sisters struggled and committed numerous unforced errors: shanked the ball, hit into the net, and hit the ball out of bounds throughout, losing by 13. The fourth and final set was more of the same and Sisters recorded the loss.

Sybesma had a good night from the right side and finished with 10 kills, and also did a good job blocking at the net. Emma Long led the team with 14 digs, Monaghan recorded 10, Fogarty had eight, and Gibney added seven. Scholl posted 14 kills, and 10 digs, and Davis finished the match with 32 assists.

Kreunen said, “In the first two sets we had it clicking defensively and offensively with Audrey, Alexis (Gibney), Kathryn, and Haven all getting kills. After the second set, the team played a little deflated and struggled to score.”

Sisters was to play at home against Harrisburg on Monday, October 7. They will travel to Creswell on Thursday, October 10.