THUNDER BAY – Chris Green’s team did a lot of things well on Sunday afternoon, although they could not pull out all the stops, losing 3-2 to the Western Mustangs (18-25, 25-23, 14-25, 25-22, 8-15).
These were the first sets that the home team has won in the Thunderdome this season, which was a welcome sign for the Thunderdome fans. They reciprocated with a raucous ovation following the 25-23 win in the second set, and kept the place rocking down the stretch. In the fourth set, Lakehead rallied late, down 21-17, to finish the set on an 8-1 run to force the 5th set. The more experienced Western team would take care of business from there, getting big points from middle Danielle Marshall, who finished the day with 11 kills on 20 attempts with no errors.
Lakehead setter Sara Hudson had her best game of the season, assisting on 35 kills and getting 11 digs. Breanne Hilhorst also was huge for the Pack, digging up 23 Western attacks, and got help from Jorie Daymond with 18 digs. Brittany MacLeod led LU offensively with 11 kills on 30 attempts with 4 errors, and had 1 service ace. Lakehead served tough all day, getting three service aces from Kimberley Dyck and Jorie Daymond.
Western setter Rebecca Oxland had 33 assists and 6 digs. Western was huge at the net all day, totaling 16 blocks as a team.
Despite taking the loss, Chris Green was enthused with the improved play of his team. “First off, I have to say that the support we get inside the Thunderdome is nothing short of amazing. Second, I have to say that we hate losing, however, the ladies played a strong game and showed the type of play they are capable of. I was very impressed with their focus right from 8 am on this morning. They brought their notes in and had the video etched in their minds. In the end we lost because we forgot to execute what we agreed to in the scramble (or transition) situations. We needed to take their middles to position 5 and we did not do that. If Marshal does not get 11 kills in the middle, its a different game. But that is learning and it feels better to say we learned a lot in 5 sets today. Cudos to Brittany Macleod again. Good numbers and leadership. As well Sara hudson took a huge step forward as a setter again today. She executed a couple of tactical situations today for the first time. We have worked hard all year on them and today she pulled them out of her bag of tricks.” Moving forward, Green notes, “Now we get back in the gym and train hard getting ready for the second half. The Wolves have set up their winter training with a strong performance tonight.”
The volleyball team won’t play their next game until January.