Huskies down Lebanon in Tigers' home opener
Aug. 18—The Lebanon volleyball team has shown some of its potential in the opening two days of the season.
After coming back from a 2-0 deficit to top Speedway in five on Tuesday night, the Tigers took the first set from visiting Hamilton Heights on Wednesday, hoping to start the year 2-0.
Lebanon couldn't sustain their success, ultimately falling in four sets, but they showed that they are right there early in the season.
"It was a tough loss," Lebanon head coach Emily Vanatsky said. "We played really well in the first and third sets. We are getting there, it's just getting over that mental hump of 'we're good and it's OK to be good,' right now."
The Tigers won a back-and-forth first set. Trailing 18-16, Lebanon rattled off four-straight points to grab a 20-18 lead. They finished the set on a 5-2 spurt after that, winning 25-20.
But they couldn't keep the momentum going in the second.
After being tied at 3, Heights went on an 11-3 run to grab control of the set and never looked back.
"We have two younger setters, so we are still working on getting those connections with all the hitters," Vanatsky said. "We will get a really good one every once and a while, so we know we can do it, we just need more of it. I think with the more reps we get, by the end of the season we will get where we need to be."
Hamilton Heights won a close third set 25-20, and pulled away in the latter part of the fourth set to take it 25-17.
Vanatsky said it was a good lesson on putting tough points and sets behind them, and not letting it carry over from one to the next.
"It's a confidence thing," Vanatsky said. "I want them to truly believe in themselves and go out and beat a team. They have the skills and potential, ow they have to believe in themselves and put it together on the court."
Sydnie Starkey had 12 kills and nine digs for the Tigers.
Lex Barr had six kills, Grace Braner had four, with Emily Sperry and Alli Albea having three.
Charli Albea had 17 digs and Kylie Ottinger had eight.
Alli Albea added 16 assists and 10 digs, with Audrey Butler adding 12 assists.
Lebanon travels to Rossville on Monday.
"We are getting better and even built off our match yesterday," Vanatsky said. "We were making sure we were getting our off-blocker there and we got killed on a couple tips yesterday. Tonight they did a good job of picking that up, but we weren't as ready for the hits. We want to make sure our setters are confident in where we are defensively, and making sure
Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on Twitter @Will_Willems.
