Lady Cyclones Fall To NVC Foe Ewing In Three Sets

The Ewing volleyball team proved to be too much for Clearwater/Orchard, as the Lady Tigers came away with a 3-0 victory over OC Thursday in Niobrara Valley Conference action.

"We worked really hard this week on our passing," said Ewing coach Suz Funk, "We have a lot of versatile hitters and if we can pass the ball, it opens up a lot of options for us. Our passing was better, which opened up a lot of options for us."

Despite the loss, the Lady Cyclone mentor saw a lot of positives on the court Thursday.

"(I am) Extremely proud of how the girls came out and competed," said OC coach Sierra Summers. "We started the week off a bit on the rough side and we have completely bounced back. It was refreshing to see the girls come out and play together. Ewing is a great team and we hung right there with them."

All three sets were back-and-forth struggles to start, but the Lady Tigers were able to score the early runs and take the lead.

"That has been crucial for us," Funk said on gaining the early momentum. "We try to pursue every point, one at a time, and take advantage of our versatility on the floor."

Ewing jumped out to a quick eight-point lead to open the match and held off numerous Lady Cyclones' rally attempt to win the first set, 25-19.

After falling behind 5-3, the Lady Tigers went on a 20-9 run to claim a 23-14 advantage. OC cut into the lead, but the deficit was too much as Ewing captured the second set, 25-17.

Ewing opened the third set with a 15-6 run, but the Lady Cyclones refused to quit, and drew to within six points, but the Lady Tigers won the set, 25-17, and the match.

JoCee Johnston led OC with 13 kills, three blocks and two aces. Katie Stearns collected four kills, six digs and a block, Julian Tuttle recorded 16 assists, two kills and eight digs and Taylor Sanne pitched in two aces and seven digs.

Ewing used a balanced attack to stay unbeaten on the year. Six different players recorded at least one kill, led by Tiana Thramer with 10 kills and two blocks. Ashley Koenig accounted for nine kills and two aces, Sidney Stallbaum tallied six kills and four blocks and Brenna Wagner had four kills, three blocks and two aces.

"We have strived to have everybody be a threat on the floor," Funk noted. "We didn't do as much back-row attacks, which we're going to work on tomorrow, but we had options in the front row. Our middles were pulling the blockers, so they (OC) had to stay with us and couldn't go outside on us. They had to stay because they (Ewing middle hitters) were being a threat on the floor."

Ewing (5-0) travels to Spalding Academy Monday.

"We need to stay healthy and safe," Funk said. "We practice every day and work a little harder. We work different options to get them prepared for every team we meet. The NVC is huge, every night you have to be ready to go."

Clearwater/Orchard (3-5) returns to the court Friday against Central Valley.

"(We are) Working on staying consistent, playing competitively and always staying focused is still our main focus," Summers concluded. (We are) Looking forward to tomorrow's game."