Mead makes statement
The Mead Panthers weren’t about to let history repeat itself.
In an intense rematch of a non-league game earlier this season, the Panthers avenged the five-set loss and swept Lewis and Clark 25-23, 25-8, 25-23 Tuesday night in Greater Spokane League action at Mead.
Mead clinched at least a tie for its fourth consecutive league title. The Panthers can win the title outright by defeating North Central on Thursday. LC finished its league season and can finish no worse than second place.
Both teams played tough in the first game, with few hitting errors on both sides. At 23-all, Mead senior Ashley Hutchinson came up with a kill down the line followed by a tip on the next point as the Panthers (9-0) captured the game.
The Tigers (9-1) fell apart in the second game after Mead took a commanding 14-4 lead when Hutchinson served five straight points.
The Panthers capitalized on 15 unforced errors by LC.
“Our serve receive really let us down tonight,” LC coach Julie Yearout said. “We made it really hard on ourselves tonight. We had too many unforced errors and you just can’t do that against a team like Mead. They are just too good to make that many mistakes against.”
In the third game, Mead jumped ahead 13-3 for another early lead. LC came back and took its first lead when Hutchinson missed her serve at 18-all.
Oceana Bush came up with two crucial digs that allowed the Tigers to stay in the match until 23-all. After a questionable line call that went Mead’s way at match point, Alexis Olgard tipped the final Mead point.
“The kids were so jazzed up for this one and we knew it would be a barn-burner of a match, but to have them step up and perform like they did makes me very proud,” Mead coach Judy Kight said. “I felt like we really stayed in and did our job. We had our low moments, but we didn’t let that get us down.”
Mead seniors Hutchinson and Kady Try were honored before their last home game of the season. Try finished with superior performances in the match.
The transfer from Brentwood (Calif.) High School led the Panthers with 11 kills and four blocks.
“It was such an amazing feeling,” Try said. “We worked so hard for this night and I just can’t explain how good it feels that we played that good.”
Hutchinson, one of the Mead team captains, chipped in five kills and three blocks.
“That was incredible,” Hutchinson said. “It was amazing in front of all the fans and everyone on the team contributed so much. We lost to them early in the year, so this just shows how much we have built on that and how much stronger we have become.”
Mead junior Emma Olgard and freshman sister Alexis combined for 16 kills. Alexis also had four blocks.
Junior Laurie Yearout stood out for the Tigers and finished with 10 kills and 14 assists.
“She really stepped up tonight when we needed someone,” Julie Yearout said. “When we needed someone to swing away and take a chance, she did that for us.”
Bush, a sophomore, and senior Erica Ehlo had 11 digs apiece for LC. Sophomore teammate Hilary Koenigs added 14 assists and Chloe Rowand four blocks.
In other GSL games, Brynn DeLong registered 20 kills, 13 blocks and seven digs as Shadle Park (4-5) snuck past host University 27-29, 25-20, 19-25, 25-22, 15-9. Kasey Jurich had 32 digs and six blocks for the Titans (2-7). Lexi Bishop led defensive efforts for the Highlanders with 15 digs. … Maddy Lorenz finished with 13 kills, 17 digs, six aces and three blocks and Ferris (4-5) topped visiting East Valley 20-25, 25-10, 25-17, 25-14. Carianna Rath served eight straight points for the Saxons in the second game. Pam Eatock led the Knights (1-8) with 13 digs. … Jennifer Andrews had 20 digs and 14 kills as Mt. Spokane (6-3) edged host North Central 25-16, 26-24, 23-25, 25-23 to tie idle Gonzaga Prep for third place. Nicole Graybeal posted 12 kills and eight blocks for NC (4-5). … Kristin Telin and Jaclyn Robinson combined for 20 kills and Telin added 10 digs as visiting Central Valley (5-4) rolled past Rogers 25-17, 25-17, 25-11. Freshman Allison Giusti had 25 assists for the Bears. Melanie Humphries led the Pirates (0-9) with four kills and three blocks.