Eastern volleyball defeats county rival Western in straight sets
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The Eastern Comets girls’ volleyball squad traveled to Russiaville last week, hoping to continue a streak of success in the early varsity seasons. And that's exactly what they found at the expense of the Western Panthers.
The girls in green and gold dispatched the Panthers in straight sets, 25-22, 25-23, and 25-16. However, the match was closer than the final score would indicate.
Western and Eastern traded points in each of the first two sets, with neither team running away with the game. Both teams exhibited high energy and huddled together after each point, encouraging or celebrating the previous play.
But Eastern scored the points when they needed them most, pushing through to take each set. And when the third set arrived, the Lady Comets continued to outpace their opponents.
On Western's side of the net, juniors Lucy George and Ella Rawlings joined freshman Ruby Weaver in scoring two kills each. Senior Ellie Kretz added a kill of her own.
From the service line, senior Rylynn Gibbs managed three aces, while senior Kretz and Brynley Erb managed a pair of aces each, as did Rawlings.
Rawlings and Kretz each scored 10 points on serves, while Gibbs scored eight and Erb scored five.
Rawlings led in defense at the net, registering five blocks. Weaver was good for three blocks, while George and Kretz each defended a pair of shots.
Gibbs led the Lady Panthers with 13 digs to keep volleys alive. And Kretz led her team with 20 assists.
Unfortunately, statistics for Eastern were not available by press time.
With the win, Eastern improved its record to 6-3, winning its third straight match. They fell to Rossville the next evening, however, and on Tue., Sept. 2, the Lady Comets will host Delphi Community (0-11) at 6 p.m.
Western was left treading water at 3-3 after the Eastern loss, but they managed a win over Clinton Central on Aug. 28. The Lady Panthers travel to Rossville (6-1) on Tuesday evening, with a 7 p.m. start.
See additional photos from this contest, with galleries featuring each team as well as highlights from the junior varsity contest, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern's Facebook page or group.