By Kari Basey
The coaching staff of the Lyons High School varsity volleyball team have had their work cut out for them this season. Changing the line-up has been as commonplace as LaVern Johnson attending a Town Board meeting. However, both the coaches and players have risen to the challenge.
On Tuesday, September 20, the Lady Lions faced the Brush Beetdiggers at home. Madeline Keen, coming off an ankle injury, returned to the setting role, so Sydney Stevelinck returned to the outside/middle hitting position. In the first two games the Lady Lions played well and the Beetdiggers had numerous net violations to help the home team secure victories 25-22 and 25-19. With nothing to lose, the Beetdiggers dug deep and began to serve much tougher and the Lady Lions had trouble handling the pace and placement. In addition, the Beetdiggers minimized their hitting and blocking errors and won the third and fourth games 25-13, 25-14.
It all came down to the fifth and final game. Early on the Lady Lions had some momentum as they led the Beetdiggers 5-3. However, the Beetdiggers regained the momentum beating Lyons 15-7. It was a tough loss and the second year in a row Lyons lost to Brush in five games.
Keen had a good night earning 31 assists, 5 blocks and 10 digs. Joelle Holst and Genna Gibson also had a strong defensive night with 13 and 9 digs respectively. Once again, Michelle Hickey led the team in blocks with 6. Nola Basey, Shannon Gilman and Stevelinck continue to contribute on the offensive end with 22, 7 and 6 kills.
On Thursday, September 22, Lyons competed in a non-conference match against Union Colony. Three varsity players: Basey, Keen and Amber Boyington were unable to play. Seniors Michelle Hickey, Shannon Gilman, and Lauren Simpson were called upon to lead the team and they did so in a commanding 3-set victory 25-16, 25-19, and 25-17. Gilman and Hickey had a season high number of kills with 10 apiece. Serving tough were Rebecca Weglarz and Stevelinck who recorded 4 and 3 aces. Stevelinck also earned 20 assists as she ran the offense. Holst, Gibson and Weglarz led the team in digs, while Gilman led the team in blocks in the relatively short match.
The JV team also split this week. The Beetdiggers edged out the JV team 25-23, 25-23 in a tight match. The young Lions fared better against Union Colony and dominated the match 25-16 and 25-18. The “C” team also lost to Brush 15-25, and 20-25, but beat Union Colony in three sets 25-22, 23-25 and 15-10.
The Lady Lions play two away matches: Berthoud on Thursday, September 29, and University on Tuesday, October 4. They return home on Thursday, October 6, to play powerhouse Valley, the defending 3A state champions. Come cheer on your team: “C” - 4:30 p.m., JV - 5:30 p.m., and Varsity- 6:30 p.m.
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