LCSC volleyball team sweeps MSU-Northern

9-15-07

Getting off to big starts in all three games helped the Lewis-Clark State College women’s volleyball team stretch its match win streak to six with a 30-20, 30-26, 30-21 victory over Montana State University-Northern in Frontier Conference play at the LCSC Activity Center on Saturday afternoon. 

The Warriors never trailed in the match and had leads of 14-4, 9-4, and 9-6, respectively, in games one through three to improve to 8-2 on the season and 2-0 in conference play. LCSC has won 18 of the 19 games played during its win streak and is enjoying its best start since the 2001 season when the Warriors started 21-2. 

“Especially in the first game we want to get out to a good start,’’ LCSC coach Jen Greeny said. “That’s definitely our goal. We work on that in practice. We don’t want to be the one always trying to fight back. 

MSU-Northern, which has seven freshmen on its roster, managed to climb back into the final two games, but couldn’t overcome strong serving by LCSC. MSU-Northern is 1-6 overall and 0-2 in conference play. 

The Warriors collected 12 service aces in the match, including four from sophomore Lisa Davis of Genesee.  Juniors Cintia Alessi and Lindsay Scott had three each. 

After leading by 10 in the first game, LCSC had the lead cut to six twice, but Davis responded with two service aces to propel the Warriors. 

“This was probably not our best match so far, but I thought we did a good job of serving,” Davis said. “But we didn’t play with a lot of emotion.” 

“We came out a little bit flat but we were able to work through it,” Greeny said. “I thought the girls who came off the bench in the second and third games really did a nice job.” 

LCSC’s Brazilian connection of Alessi and Anile Clemente, both Junior College All Americans last year, led the way at the net. Alessi had 13 kills while Clemente added a season-high 12. Alessi also had seven digs and three assists, while Clemente had two of LCSC’s 10 blocks. 

Brittney Kubik added seven kills and three blocks, while Scott, Julie Maciboba, and Marie Balmer had six kills apiece. Scott also had 11 digs, while Davis had 22 assists. Mindy Meyer added 17 assists and nine digs. 

“We’re having a lot of fun and that’s a big part of why we’re doing well,” Davis says. “We enjoy being around each other. The feeling is a lot better this year.” 

Brittany Baker and Kaylee Bossert led MSU-Northern with eight kills, while Jennifer Rohl had seven. Brittni Sesler had 29 assists and three service aces, while Carlee Hoff had 13 digs. 

LCSC resumes action next Friday at home against No. 8-ranked Westminster. The first serve is set for 7 p.m. at the LCSC Activity Center. The two teams share the conference lead at 2-0.