Even the most talented teams have to learn how to win, and that’s exactly what the Lakewood girls’ volleyball team is doing right now. Last night, they took another lesson home after a sweep of the Poly Jackrabbits, 25-23, 25-22, 27-25. Senior Jazmine Orozco led the way for Lakewood with 13 kills and seven digs.
School was in session even all the way out in Las Vegas last week when Lakewood, Wilson and Poly all participated in the Durango Tournament. Leading Sacred Heart 24-21 with game point, the Lancers couldn’t close the door and lost their opening match. Later that day, the gave another set back to Torrey Pines, but came from behind to win it in the tie-breaker. Last night, Poly led in the second and third sets (23-21 & 24-22) but Lakewood used the latest lessons learned and fought back for the three-set sweep.
The first set was all Lancers, even though they never led by more than five. Only four of Poly’s attacks at the net got though the Lakewood defense untouched, and that’s just how the Lancers like it.
“A tip into transition is just a good as a block for us,” says Lakewood coach Mike Wadley how’s team runs a very quick counter attack. “It’s tough to come over here, and we haven’t played well at Poly… we just wanted to not play flat.”
After a Taylor Jackson kill (11 kills on the night) the Lancers had game point at 24-19, but that flat play made a brief appearance. Junior Litara Keil tallied a kill and an ace to help a 4-0 Poly run, but a kill from Lakewood setter Megan Moenoa gave the Lancers the first set. Moenoa had an incredible night with 47 assists, 5 kills and 3 blocks.
The Jackrabbits rode the momentum from that late run and opened a 7-3 lead on back-to-back kills from Bria Russ. However, in the middle of the set, Poly lost outside hitter Felicia Clemente with an injured elbow and Russ started to cramp up. Russ was less effective after the craps started, and coach Leland McGrath had to carry her off the court during the third set. She would not return, and meanwhile, Orozco scored four of the Lancers final five points in the set to take the commanding 2-0 lead.
In the third set it was time for sophomore Chrissy Tuua to shine. According to Wadley, the young middle hitter has shown flashes of greatness sprinkled with inconsistent play. With the score 7-4 Poly, Wadley started moving Tuua around and she showed off her natural ability, scoring four straight points for the Lancers with one massive kill to give Lakewood the lead.
“With all the stuff happening in Samoa, I think Tuua really came out and played inspired volleyball,” said Wadley after the match.
There would be twelve ties in the final set, but the telling stat is that only twice did the Jackrabbits come out of a tie with the lead. With the score tied at 25, Taylor Hollins put one on the line and Moenoa placed a dump pass down in the corner to complete the three-set sweep, 27-25.
“They’re one of the best teams,” said McGrath. “They proved it.”
Lakewood stays atop the Moore League at 3-0, while Poly falls to 1-1.
Also In The Moore League:
Wilson 3, Jordan 0: Kellie Culbertson only played in two of the games, but she managed seven kills, 13 digs, two aces and two blocks for the Bruins (9-2, 2-1) who swept, 25-6, 25-5, 25-7. Kellie Woolever had 10 assists and 13 digs and Rebecca Strehlow 15 assists and six kills.