Donned in pink uniforms to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to help out Liam Meyer, the Lowry High School volleyball team clinched a playoff berth with a 25-22, 25-12 and 25-15 victory over Spring Creek on Wednesday night.
“It was a great night and I want to thank everyone for their support on the night,” said LHS coach Brandon Eastman. “I was really happy with the energy we had tonight. Even though the first set was close, the energy was high. Spring Creek was scrappy and stayed in the match at the beginning. I was able to get all the girls in the match and we never took a step down.”
Lowry took a 6-4 lead in the opening set off a kill by Madison Montero and an ace by Jadyn Eastman, only to see Spring Creek rally and go in front 14-10. At that time, the Lady Bucks called a timeout and the break in the action proved to be beneficial. Lowry reeled off the next six points to regain the advantage.
A couple errors by Lowry allowed Spring Creek to tie the set at 18, but Brooklyn Waller answered back with a tip to put the Lady Bucks back in front on the next point. The Spartans held leads at 20-19 and 21-20, when a tip by Hannah Hillyer tied the set once again at 21. Two hitting errors by Spring Creek provided Lowry with a two-point lead and Hillyer ended the set with a kill.
Lowry dominated the second set from the start and led 10-4 after a series of kills by Montero, Brittany Jacaway, Kyllie Sappington and Hillyer. Waller also had an ace in that run.
“I challenged the girls in between sets and they responded,” Eastman said. “I wanted to hold Spring Creek under 15 points in the set. Our passing tonight was some of the best I have seen it in a while. When we pass the ball well, it makes it easier for the hitters to find their spots.”
Montero added four kills midway through the set to give Lowry a 20-6 lead and the Lady Bucks cruised from there, with Jacaway providing the winning point.
Lowry scored five of the first seven points of the third set and never trailed. The Spartans closed within 7-6 at one time, but Lowry scored the next seven points to extend the margin to 14-6. Waller had two aces and a tip in the run. The Lady Bucks were not challenged from that point on.
“We came out and did what we needed to do,” Eastman said. “We need to finish up the last week strong and get ready for the playoffs.”
Lady Bucks fall to Vikings
Lowry traveled to South Tahoe on Friday, Oct. 14, and was defeated 25-7, 25-27, 25-16 and 25-14 by the Vikings.
“It is one of those days you want to forget,” said the coach. “We felt good going in but got down 19-3 in the first set and we never recovered. It was a night that nothing went right.”
Dayton sweeps Lowry
Lowry closed out the road trip on Saturday, Oct. 15, with a 27-25, 25-18 and 25-23 loss to Dayton. Despite the defeat, Eastman said the team played well.
“It was so much better than the night before,” Eastman said. “We had our chances to win the first and third sets. Dayton is back to full strength and is getting better and better.”
Truckee (12-0) and Dayton (10-3) are currently the top two teams in the Northern 3A. Churchill County (9-3) is third and South Tahoe (8-5) and Lowry (7-6) are fourth and fifth, respectively. Elko (5-8) will likely secure the sixth and final playoff spot. As of now, Lowry and South Tahoe would play in the first round of the regional tournament.
Lowry travels to Elko on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. match and return home Thursday to play Truckee at 6 p.m. and Sparks on Friday at noon.
