Lady Indians Lose Two Close Matches in Atwood
On Tuesday evening, September 13, the St. Francis Lady Indians played two very close varsity matches in Atwood. St. Francis lost in their first match of the evening to Rawlins County 20-25, 25-21, 20-25. In their final match, the Lady Indians were defeated by the Wallace County Lady Wildcats in two extremely close games, 24-26, 25-27.
The junior varsity teams had very close matches also. Due to a limited number of players, Wallace County did not play at the junior varsity level. Therefore, the Lady Indians played two matches against Rawlins County. The Lady Buffaloes won both matches by scores of 23-25, 25-20, 10-15 and 16-25, 25-19, 6-15.
Katie Schmid scored the first point of the evening on a free-ball that was misplayed by Rawlins County (RC). The Lady Buffaloes scored an early three-point run (one of only three in the match) to lead 2-5. Schmid narrowed the margin to 6-8 with a strong kill, but soon the lead grew to four points (8-12) on a RC stuff block. Jessica Confer earned a kill at 10-13, but Rawlins County's Brea Lankas answered on the next volley. Hanna Bracelin followed with kill, but again RC answered. Rawlins County took a five-point advantage (12-17) on a Lady Indian setting error, and St. Francis used a time-out to regroup. Confer earned a quick kill after returning to action. Another Schmid kill narrowed the deficit to 15-17. An ace by Lauren Johnson and another aggressive kill by Schmid eventually pulled the Lady Indians within one 18-19. It was a close as the Lady Indians would get as the Lady Indians gave up three consecutive points on a RC cross-court kill and two hitting errors to close the game. St. Francis lost game one 20-25.
RC's Lauren Terry opened game two with two service aces. Lindsey Johnson's kill and Lauren Johnson's ace tied the match. A stuff-block by Hanna Bracelin and Lindsey Johnson gave St. Francis a 3-2 lead. Back-to-back kills by Bracelin and Jessica Confer moved the score to 7-4. Kills by Lauren Johnson (11-8) and Katie Schmid (13-10) helped preserve the Lady Indian advantage. Rawlins County cut the lead to two (13-11) on an initial pass that struck the net. RC then missed their serve, and the Lady Indians reeled off four more points behind good serves from Taighe Weeter and some strong defensive play. A stuff-block by Zoe Sundstrom and Lindsey Johnson and a tip-kill by Lauren opened the advantage to 18-11. Rawlins County soon scored a five-point run to narrow the lead to 19-18 before committing an attack error. Another three-point run gave Rawlins County a 20-21 lead. St. Francis responded with a kill by Confer and an ace by Sundstrom to regain the lead. Two RC miscues and a final kill by Schmid sealed the game at 25-21.
Three three-point runs proved to be the difference in game three. Lindsey Johnson opened game three with two early kills before Rawlins County earned their first three-point run to take a 3-6 lead. A RC passing error on a good hit by Zoe Sundstrom and an ace by Hanna Bracelin pulled the Lady Indians within one 7-8. Consecutive kills by the Lady Buffs extended the deficit before the Lady Indians earned a three-point run to tie the game at 10-all. The final point in the run was scored on an ace by Sundstrom. Rawlins County then earned three quick points on a SF passing error and two kills by Abby Horton (10-13). Kills by Lauren Johnson and Katie Schmid, and an ace by Lauren Johnson, again got the Lady Indians with one (14-15). Zoe Sundstrom's kill at 17-18 reduced the lead to one again. The Lady Indians were fighting hard, but just could not get the lead. Four Lady Indian miscues and a strong kill by RC's Brea Lankas soon put the Lady Indians in trouble 18-22. St. Francis scored twice before committing a passing error, a setting error, and giving up an ace serve to close the contest. St. Francis lost to Rawlins County 20-25 in the deciding game.
The matches with Wallace County were even tighter. Though the games each featured several long scoring runs the outcome was two extended two-point games.
In game one, Wallace County (WC) jumped out to a 0-4 lead capitalizing on Lady Indian miscues and one deep tip. A kill and two aces by Hanna Bracelin eventually tied the game at 6-all before a missed serve returned the lead to the Lady Wildcats. Shortly thereafter, another WC five-point run increased the deficit to 8-13. Kills by Lauren Johnson and Zoe Sundstrom trimmed the margin a bit, but then the Lady Wildcats earned another five-point run including two aces. The Lady Indians trailed 10-18. A WC missed serve stopping the run was followed by a Bracelin kill and an ace by Taighe Weeter. Soon, the Lady Indians had collected some momentum and kills by Lauren Johnson and Katie Schmid pulled the Lady Indians within one (20-21) triggering a WC time-out. A free-ball passing error by the Lady Wildcats tied the contest at 21-all. Bracelin's deep tip gave St. Francis the lead for the first time in the game. The Lady Indians led 23-21 after a WC hitting error, but then gave up two points, the last coming on a well-placed tip by WC's Cassidy Kreigh. The Wildcats then missed a serve, opening the door for the Lady Indians. Unfortunately, the game ended with the Lady Indians allowing three straight points on another Kriegh kill, a hitting error, and an ace. St. Francis lost game one 24-26.
Game two also opened with a WC run; this one being 6 points and including three aces. A stuff by Lindsey Johnson and a over-set kill by Emileigh Dinkel helped cut the deficit in half. Another three-point run increased the deficit to 8-13. Lauren Johnson's strong attack and Zoe Sundstrom's tip narrowed the lead to three (10-13), but then the Lady Wildcats earned a few points to move the score to 11-16. The Johnson twins each followed with kills. WC's Carli Haislip's kill increased the deficit to five points again (13-18). Moments later, St. Francis pulled within two (16-18) on a WC attack error, a dig and kill by Lauren Johnson, and a deep tip by Hanna Bracelin. The Lady Cats responded with another three-point run including two kills (16-21). A St. Francis five-point run, fueled by a kill by Katie Schmid and an ace by Madi Tice, tied the game at 21-all. The final points would include four more ties and four lead changes before the victor would be decided. A WC kill was followed by an outstanding dig by Lauren Johnson and a WC net violation (22-22). Bracelin's ace was answered by a kill by Kreigh and a service ace (23-24). Schmid's off-speed, well-placed kill was followed by an ace serve by Taighe Weeter (25-24). Wallace County closed the game with three straight points coming on a well-placed tip and two SF miscues. Wallace County won a hard-fought game two, 25-27.
The Lady Indians will play Bethune, CO, and Colorado Deaf & Blind in Bethune on Tuesday, September 20. Matches begin at 4:30 p.m. Central Time.
Click the photos to see more photos!
