Stars get big win over 4A Harrison
Sep. 23—DOVER — Western Boone has battled closely with some 4A schools throughout their volleyball season.
But they had yet to come out on top in those matches, until Tuesday night.
The Stars dropped the first set, but regrouped to defeat Harrison 3-1 (20-25, 25-13, 25-22, 25-18) and improve their record to 13-6.
"It was definitely one of our better matches of the year, if not the best," Western Boone head coach Laura Bragg said. "Especially playing a really good team like Harrison. We had battled with teams like Brownsburg and Zionsville, but just couldn't come out on top. The girls were really focused on the game plan."
The Stars dropped a close first set, but rebounded really well after that.
Bragg said winning the second set the way they did was a big boost to the team.
"We really just focused on cutting down our unforced errors," Bragg said. "It's something we talk about a lot, but we were able to change it quickly in between the first and second sets. Winning the second set the way we did, it was the positive boost we needed heading into the final two sets."
Harrison started the third set strong, jumping out 4-0 and 6-1. But Western Boone came back to tie it at 8.
Harrison built their lead to 18-14, but again the Stars came back, scoring five-straight points to take a 19-18 lead. The Raiders led a final time at 22-21, but the Stars scored the final four points to win the set.
The fourth set started out close as well.
The teams were tied seven times throughout the set, the last coming at 16-all. But the Stars scored the next six points, and cruised from there.
Saige Terwiske led the Stars with 15 kills on Tuesday.
She has 29 kills in her last two matches.
"It all started with the passing," Bragg said. "Saige is a really good hitter, and she is capable of that every match. We were really strong with our passing, so we could get into system and set a lot to Saige. She has been amazing the past couple matches."
Kennedy Kiger had 11 kills, seven digs and five blocks for the Stars. Audrey Dunn had six kills and seven digs, while Maddie Hawkins had six kills, 16 digs and three aces.
Western Boone also got four kills from Raegan Durbin, who returned Monday after missing about a month with an ankle injury.
"It gives us another weapon offensively," Bragg said. "We have been easing her back into it, and we got her in a little more (tonight) than Monday. She was able to get a couple good swings in and her blocking was good too."
Elena Gubera had 26 assists, 13 digs and five aces for the Stars. Marli Ransom had 19 digs, while Janie Ransom had 16 assists.
Western Boone has won five of its last six matches, and have an important stretch coming up.
The Stars travel to Lafayette Central Catholic Thursday, then play Lebanon, Crawfordsville and North Montgomery in conference play next week.
After that they have meetings with potential sectional opponent Park Tudor, and Tri-West.
A win like Tuesday was just what Western Boone needed heading into a tough stretch.
"It was really big for us, especially heading into match-ups with Lebanon, Crawfordsville and Tri-West," Bragg said. "They all have strong hitters, just like Harrison did. Getting experience against a team like that is what we needed."
Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on Twitter @Will_Willems.
