Mead Beats Error-Prone Ferris In Four Games

Staci Schuerman and the Mead Panthers relished last year’s ride with Jessica Sanborn, but this year has seen a different excursion.

Friday, in fact, was quite a trip for Mead.

Led by Schuerman’s 15 digs and 12 kills, the Panthers flashed their rallying talents during a 16-14, 13-15, 15-12, 15-7 Greater Spokane League volleyball win over visiting Ferris.

Mead (5-0) jumped over the Saxons (5-1) into first place. Ferris hadn’t dropped a game all year.

Ferris dealt unsuccessfully with success. The Saxons lost the opener after leading 14-9 and serving for the win three times. Ferris’ 12-5 edge in the second was whittled to 14-13 before the Saxons held on. Ferris then stormed to an 11-5 lead in the third game, but couldn’t stop Mead’s rally.

“We just had the excitement all day,” Schuerman said. “At school today, we couldn’t concentrate on anything else.”

The Panthers feature five players who were part of last year’s third-place State AAA team. What Mead didn’t return was Sanborn, the 6-foot-3 middle blocker landed by Michigan State University.

Sans Sanborn, the Panthers are spreading the hitting wealth among Schuerman, fellow seniors Abby Jo Hornstein, Kortney Stewart and Krista Nelson, junior Lindsey Wagstaff and sophomore Lindsay Murphy.

“If you have a 6-3 kid who can cream the ball, you use her,” said Mead coach Judy Kight. “This year (the concept) is the team, and volleyball is a team game.”

“We try to emphasize the entire roster and not just one player,” said Schuerman, co-captain with Hornstein.

Stewart and Murphy served out the first game after Mead trailed 14-9. Ferris had five late errors, four on balls hit out or long.

Missy Blackshire’s two aces gave Ferris a 12-5 edge in the second game. Stewart’s serving allowed Mead to rally, but she served long while attempting a 14-all tie. Amy George’s subsequent ace tied the match.

With Ferris ahead 11-5 in the third game, Mead scored six straight. The Panthers broke from a 12-all tie, with Murphy and Nelson’s kills deciding the game.

Mead scored seven straight in the fourth game for a 9-3 lead that Ferris couldn’t erase.

“To be honest, I think our kids have thought for a week that they can’t lose,” said Ferris coach Stacey Ward. “When you think that way, you’re in trouble.”

“I have a lot of confidence in my team, even though I have the ultimate respect for Ferris,” Kight said.

, DataTimes