Coming up with the big points when needed, the Lewis-Clark State College women’s volleyball team swept four games from a Warrior alumni team 25-13, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22 in an exhibition match at the LCSC Activity Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Warriors had strong all-around play by a number of players, led by senior outside hitters Kelli Tikker and Lauryn Herrick, and senior middle blocker Nicole Graybeal.
After pulling away in the first three games, LCSC found itself trailing the alumni squad for most of the fourth game. After the Warriors tied the match, the alumni team took a brief 22-21 lead, but the Warriors scored the final four points to claim the win.
LCSC coach LaToya Harris said she was pleased with what she saw from the team, including its transition and blocking.
Players for the alumni team included Marie Balmer, Demi Dlouhy, Jenika Bird-Jeppson, Dani Barrett, Lydia Tollbom, Dana Christiansen, Katie Hinrichs, Rebecca Stafford, Austyn Lewis, Brittney Kubik, and Julie Maciboba. All had played for the Warriors within the last four seasons and were a part of the Warriors’ four straight Frontier Conference regular season and tournament titles. Former LCSC volleyball coach Judy Fong served as the official for the match.
The Warriors, ranked No. 7 in the NAIA preseason poll, kick off their season this Friday and Saturday in the Biola Holida Inn Summer Slam in La Mirada, Calif. LCSC faces Cal State San Marcos at 2 p.m. and Westmont at 6 p.m. on Friday, and then meets No. 14 Southern Oregon at 2 p.m. and No. 5 Biola at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
