Hatchets down Cougars

By Mike Myers, Sports Writer

August 26, 2008 10:45 pm

— ELNORA — A promising start turned into a faltering finish for the North Daviess Lady Cougars as Washington came away from an early season area volleyball showdown at the Cougar Den with a 24-26, 25-12, 25-18, 25-8 win on Tuesday.
A scrappy North Daviess (0-3) squad fought off a Washington (2-2) comeback in game one, but the Lady Cougars couldn’t capitalize on that momentum as the Lady Hatchets, on the serve of Taylor May, reeled off 11 straight points to open the second game. From that point on, the Lady Cougars would lead only briefly early in the fourth game as the Lady Hatchets dominated play in the final three games.
Washington coach Brooke Browning liked what she saw in the final three games, but feels her team needs to improve its focus in that opening game.
“My girls are doing a pretty good job of coming out strong in the second game. We’ve got to figure out a way to come out strong in the first game,” said Browning. “We’re working on coming out strong in the first game.
“It’s very much a game of confidence, enthusiasm, and momentum. We’re working on that also,” added Browning. “We’re working on being there to pick each other up when errors happen, and we did a better of that tonight than we did last week.”
Washington’s serving was strong in the final three games, particularly from May, who led WHS with five aces and served 13 straight points to give the Lady Hatchets control of game four. May finished with 12 digs and 12 assists for WHS.
As a team, North Daviess registered just one block on the night, and the Lady Cougars had trouble stopping the Lady Hatchets’ two big hitters in Jessica Prewett and Sara Eblin, who each recorded 11 kills.
“My blockers have got to do a better of reading the spike and getting into position,” said North Daviess coach Beth Smith.
North Daviess got another solid performance from one of just three seniors on its roster, Sharayah Graber, who tallied six kills, 15 digs, and an assist.
“Sharayah continues to be her consistent self,” said Smith. “She’s doing a good job of leading my team. She’s staying focused, I can’t ask more of her.”
Courtney Sims led the ND hitters with seven kills. Kailey Hamilton led WHS with 14 digs and 16 assists.
Washington (3-1) claimed the JV match over North Daviess (1-2) 18-25, 25-12, 15-6. Payton Shake led WHS with six kills and 10 assists, while Olivia Lengacher and Kelci Newton had five kills each. For the Lady Cougars, Lorissa Miller had four assists, while Julia Osmon added nine digs.

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