Archive: Sports

One quarter into its IAC season, Lansing's varsity volleyball team is developing its rhythm, despite a slow start in Tuesday's match at Southern Cayuga. Two early kills by Tara Miller and a couple SoCo errors were offset by 4 Lansing errors in blocking, defense, and service, tying the set at 4-4. The Bobcats gained momentum with kills by Hannah Armstrong and Blair Wigsten when SoCo passes cleared the net.

Similar opportunistic net play by Kelsey Thomas and Carolyn Prybyl later in the match, plus repeat action by Wigsten and Armstrong, accounted for one third of Lansing's kills on Tuesday. The Bobcats' lead in the first set was solidified by Miller's 3 aces and 7 consecutive service points, along with digs by Thomas and Miller, bringing the score to 12-4. Prybyl and Amber Howser scored the first block, and Prybyl expanded the lead with an ace and 5 service points, 21-10. Armstrong added another kill off a set by Breanna Brann, and continued Lansing pressure led to SoCo errors and a 25-16 win.

The second set also started with early kills by Miller and Wigsten, followed by a Miller block, and kills by Prybyl and Howser. Lansing steadily added to its lead throughout the set. Both Wigsten and Thomas served up 6-point gains, including 2 Wigsten aces, accumulating a 12-point margin, 20-8. Howser and Prybyl digs deftly dealt with SoCo offense, Brann saved a blocking attempt by Lansing, then again Armstrong got Lansing's last kill, and SoCo errors ended the set, 25-12.

The Bobcats led throughout the third set, starting with an ace by Brann, a block by Miller and Armstrong, and kills by Sally Stoyell and Armstrong. Nicole Washburn's digs all led to kills or error-free attacks, and Amber Howser scored 3 more kills, bringing her night's hitting to 71%. Lansing held a 7-point lead mid-game and used that advantage to get its entire line-up onto the court, including German exchange student Karina Warkentin, who engaged at the net. When SoCo cut Lansing's lead to 1 point, 21-20, Lansing showed its ability to pull-through when needed. Prybyl killed a SoCo service return and, with Stoyell serving, delivered the night's final kill off a Howser set, 25-21.

Although the Bobcats continue to cede points through slow-footed defense, allowing dropped balls and substituting one-armed reactions for controlled passes, improved passing has contributed to a decline in attack errors. The team's growing confidence was evident Tuesday in 100% service completion by Brann, Miller, Prybyl, and Stoyell. Several upcoming matches should solidify teamwork, and the Bobcats will be tough contenders when they face Trumansburg again at home on Thursday September 30.

Miller led on offense and defense, with 5 aces, 4 kills, 2 blocks, 11 digs; Armstrong 6 kills, 8 assists, 2 aces; Howser 5 kills, 2 digs, 1 assist; Brann, 1 ace, 1 kill, 6 assists; Prybyl 3 kills, 1 block, 1 ace, 3 digs, 1 assist; Thomas 2 kills, 5 digs; Wigsten 3 kills, 2 aces; 1 dig; Washburn 3 digs; Stoyell 1 kill; 1 ace.

----
v6i36