By RYAN WALKER
The Southern Wells girls’ volleyball team was swept in its Monday evening match against non-conference foe Blackford. The scores on the night were 25-15, 25-8, and 25-7.
The Lady Raiders came into the game on a four-game losing streak despite starting the season 4-4, already improving their win total from 2021.
The hosting Blackford Bruins had already played 21 games thus far, entering the match 8-13.
At the beginning of the first set, it was neck and neck up until Blackford went on a scoring run to make it 13-6. Head coach of the Raiders, Karie Lavanchy, used one of her timeouts to stop the run.
At the time being, it worked.
Southern Wells put up a fight in the scoring immediately after the timeout. With some momentum, the team brought the lead back down to two points at 14-12.
But after that short comeback, the Bruins went on a run of their own and ran away with a 13-3 tear to win the set 25-15.
In the second set, Blackford got off to a hot start and continued to score, going up 10-3. The scoring-streak forced another timeout, but this time it did not spark another comeback. The Bruins took the second set 25-8.
Lavanchy’s squad ran out of steam by that point, and as two conference opponents await later in the week, the Raiders will need to figure things out quickly.
“Definitely more intensity,” Lavanchy said about what her team needs to clean up before their next game. “Are communication right now is lacking. Those are probably the two biggest things we need.”
More of the same came in the third set as Blackford got on a roll from the get-go and won 25-7 to complete the sweep.
One bright spot on the night for Southern Wells was senior Brooke Tonner. Tonner was named a captain this season and has been a force from all over the court. When she’s at the front of the net, the attack goes through her with a powerful spike over the other side and finding holes in the defense.
“She’s one that you can put anywhere,” Lavanchy said. “She takes correction well and tries to motivate the team. She’s our speaking captain, she does well, and she puts her all out there.”
Tonner and the Raiders will head to Heritage for conference match number two after the 6 p.m. junior varsity match Tuesday, September 13. The team is currently 0-1 in the ACAC after a loss to South Adams.
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