By Garth Shanklin
Sports Editor
Coming off a five-set loss to the Goshen Warriors’ in the regular-season finale that cost the New Richmond Lady Lions volleyball team a share of the Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference American Division title, the squad opened up sectional tournament play in Blanchester on Monday, Oct. 17 with a matchup against Woodward High School.
Unlike the Goshen matchup, the Lady Lions didn’t face a fourth or fifth set, needing just the minimum to dispatch of the Lady Bulldogs in a 25-10, 25-11, 25-7 win.
The squad jumped ahead 9-1 in the first set before Woodward called timeout. After the break, the team continued their run, increasing their lead to 19-8 before eventually winning the set.
The second set started out eerily similar. The Lady Lions scored the first six points of the match and held a 9-2 lead, which they continued to build on en route to the victory.
In the third set, Woodward took an early 4-1 lead. However, New Richmond would answer with a 6-0 run that forced a timeout. After the break, the Lady Lions would go on an 18-3 run to close out the set and the match.
Head coach Carla Corbin said the team’s play was a result of their prowess at the service line as well as their ability to set up their teammates.
“I think we played well,” Corbin said. “We had several aces and our passing was good which enabled us to run plays and hit several kills.”
The Lady Lions recorded five aces in the first set, which Corbin attributed to the team’s practice schedule
“We work on serving, along with most all the skills every day,” Corbin said. “I think they did a great job of serving it where Woodward had a difficult time returning it.”
The Lady Lions did their job without the services of Aubree Story, who injured her foot last week and is currently in a walking boot. The injury is forcing the team to make adjustments at certain positions, which Corbin said they’re still dealing with.
“We lost an all-around key player to injury before our last two regular season matches,” Corbin said. “The team has struggled dealing with the loss, but we keep working to make adjustments, and just need everyone to step up to help fill in the void.”
The Lady Lions advance to take on Indian Hill on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in Blanchester. The Braves are a team the Lions have played before this season, and Corbin says that familiarity helps the squad prepare.
“Knowing your opponent can be good,” Corbin said. “You have played them before, so you know some of their tendencies, which an help you prepare for the other team.”
Coming off a five-set loss to the Goshen Warriors’ in the regular-season finale that cost the New Richmond Lady Lions volleyball team a share of the Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference American Division title, the squad opened up sectional tournament play in Blanchester on Monday, Oct. 17 with a matchup against Woodward High School.
Unlike the Goshen matchup, the Lady Lions didn’t face a fourth or fifth set, needing just the minimum to dispatch of the Lady Bulldogs in a 25-10, 25-11, 25-7 win.
The squad jumped ahead 9-1 in the first set before Woodward called timeout. After the break, the team continued their run, increasing their lead to 19-8 before eventually winning the set.
The second set started out eerily similar. The Lady Lions scored the first six points of the match and held a 9-2 lead, which they continued to build on en route to the victory.
In the third set, Woodward took an early 4-1 lead. However, New Richmond would answer with a 6-0 run that forced a timeout. After the break, the Lady Lions would go on an 18-3 run to close out the set and the match.
Head coach Carla Corbin said the team’s play was a result of their prowess at the service line as well as their ability to set up their teammates.
“I think we played well,” Corbin said. “We had several aces and our passing was good which enabled us to run plays and hit several kills.”
The Lady Lions recorded five aces in the first set, which Corbin attributed to the team’s practice schedule
“We work on serving, along with most all the skills every day,” Corbin said. “I think they did a great job of serving it where Woodward had a difficult time returning it.”
The Lady Lions did their job without the services of Aubree Story, who injured her foot last week and is currently in a walking boot. The injury is forcing the team to make adjustments at certain positions, which Corbin said they’re still dealing with.
“We lost an all-around key player to injury before our last two regular season matches,” Corbin said. “The team has struggled dealing with the loss, but we keep working to make adjustments, and just need everyone to step up to help fill in the void.”
The Lady Lions advance to take on Indian Hill on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in Blanchester. The Braves are a team the Lions have played before this season, and Corbin says that familiarity helps the squad prepare.
“Knowing your opponent can be good,” Corbin said. “You have played them before, so you know some of their tendencies, which an help you prepare for the other team.”
