By Mike Maltais
The Liberty Bell High School varsity girls’ volleyball team exacted some payback from Bridgeport, trampled the Manson Trojans but was then stunned by the Waterville Shockers in three games played over five days last week.
The Lady Lions welcomed the Fillies to the Lions Den on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and then proceeded to get some revenge for the 5-3 loss that Liberty Bell suffered at Bridgeport earlier in the month.
In three straight games, Liberty Bell relied on good communication and team effort to frustrate the Fillies, 26-24, 25-17, and 25-21.
Coach Tim Boonstra did not go to his bench all night but rather relied on his starting lineup of Taylor Curtiss, Dana Anderson, Katherine Tannehill, Baylee Canedo, Sarina Williams, Whitney Fox and Ashley Watson.
“I didn’t use any subs,” Boonstra said. “I think we’re pretty set right now moving forward with regards to who is going to be playing. We are looking good for post-season.”
Manson falls
The Lady Lions celebrated Senior Night Thursday (Oct. 24) by overpowering Manson, 4-1, behind the play of seniors Curtiss, Anderson and Tannehill.
All three veterans were on the floor as Liberty Bell allowed Manson to stay close in game one before the Lady Lions edged to the wire, 25-23.
It appeared Liberty Bell was on a roll with a 25-12 win in game two, but the Trojans bounced back to win game three by seven points, 25-18.
The Lady Lions regrouped and with the usual outstanding performances at the service line and in digs, sets, saves and kills, they won game four, 25-16.
At several points throughout the night, Williams had head-to-head encounters at the net with Manson’s Davia Walters as the Trojan sophomore tried to stop her opponent’s front line kills.
Strategic saves and shots by Anderson, Tannehill and Curtiss were sufficient to give notice that the three seniors will leave tough spots to fill next season.
Waterville wins
A road trip to Waterville Saturday (Oct. 26) obviously didn’t agree with the Lady Lions as the Shockers managed to use their home advantage to defeat Liberty Bell, 3-1.
Liberty Bell was scheduled to travel to Lake Roosevelt Tuesday (Oct. 29) for its last regular game of the season against the Raiders.
