Thunder Bay – LU SPORTS – The women’s volleyball team was successful in winning their home opener on Friday evening, 3-0 over the Nipissing Lakers (25-12, 25-15, 25-23). “Tonight we played the style of game that we have been asking for all week and really all year,” said Lakehead coach Chris Green. “The girls were very efficient and in saying that, having played Nipissing 2 weeks ago, their style of play was fresh. We knew what we had to do and for the most part got it done.”
Junior right side Olivia Bowman was nearly unstoppable for Lakehead, amassing 15 kills on 28 swings (.464 efficiency) with only 2 errors. She also kept the Lakers on their heels from the service line, where she helped to key some significant Lakehead runs. With a solo block she totalled 16 points with 7 digs.
It looked like Lakehead was going to win the match in under an hour after the first two sets, as Nipissing looked stiff and unable to match Lakehead’s energy. The first set featured two 5-0 runs and a 4-0 run late in the game for Lakehead that had the Lakers reeling. It was more of the same in set two, as Thunderwolf Kailan Robinson proved to be a force to be reckoned with on the left side. She finished with 15 points (13 kills, 1 ace, 1 block) and 11 digs.
“We still missed too many serves [9 total] and made some silly attack errors, but for the first game of the year as a staff we’re very happy with the overall performance,” commented Green.
Some of those service errors caught up to the ‘Wolves in set 3, where Nipissing made an impressive 9-1 start to stop Lakehead in their tracks. A time out and substitution later, and Lakehead rolled off a 4-0 run followed by two 3-0 runs to tie the set at 11. The Lakers would not relinquish the lead until very late in the set, with the game tied at 23, when Lakehead completed the comeback and the 3-0 sweep.
Green was also pleased with the return of Leah Mousseau and Jen Casey, both of whom were rehabbing from injury, and what he saw from rookie libero Alyssa Genereux, who finished with 19 digs.
“Leah Mousseau returned to the lineup to have a great night and Alyssa Genereux has progressed so well as libero over the past 2 months. Getting Jen Casey back in was a bonus as well so she can see the rewards of her rehab!”
About Olivia Bowman, Green beamed, “Have to say though Olivia was all we thought she could become, and her hard work is showing, she still has a long way to go but in saying that her steps tonight will fuel her path upwards. Our numbers have her at .448 EFF tonight. Officially that may differ however still a very good night for her.”
Lakehead volleyball resumes tomorrow to take on the York Lions at 7pm. Webcast available via www.oua.tv.
