Lions move to 3-1 in conference

Girls add a win over Garrigan

The Clear Lake volleyball team blasted visiting Bishop Garrigan in a home match played Thursday, Sept. 20.  The Lions powered past the Golden Bears 25-10, 25-19, 25-10.

The win lifted the Lions to 3-1 in the North Central Conference and 10-7 overall.

“The girls came out of the locker room with an aggressive attack plan and they executed it,” said Head Coach Scott Swenson.  “They put a lot of pressure on the Bishop Garrigan serve - receive team with our serving aggressively.  I was very pleased with our ball control and being able to make passes to our setter Carly Ouverson, who in turn worked her setting abilities for our big swingers and our attack.”

Ouverson was credited with 23 assists in the win.  She was also 8/9 from the service line.  She effectively set the plate for the Lions’ front line of Jenna Peterson, Kaitlyn Pitzen, Bailey Kibsgaard and Taylor Julsen to put away the points.  

“Kaitlyn and Jenna are both six rotation players (stay in for full rotation around the court) and when they enter a gym and see that the scoreboard is on,  they are ready to perform and take their volleyball games to the next level,” said the coach.

Pitzen led the scoring with 17 kills.  She also was a perfect 10/10 serving and had six digs in the match.  Peterson had 15 kills, was 13/13 serving with two aces and made seven digs.  Kibsgaard recorded nine kills and had two blocks, while Julsen put down four kills, had two blocks and 10/11 serving.

Brianna Haugen helped the team with three kills, 13/15 serving and three digs.  Megan Kopriva made five digs and was 4/5 serving with an ace.

“This team has been able to focus on their own positions and responsibilities on the court and have been trusting their teammates,” added Swenson.  “I was also happy to see when Bishop Garrigan made a short run against us in the second set, we kept our poise and played through it.”

The Lions were at Fort Dodge St. Ed’s last night (Tuesday, Sept. 25).  They return home Thursday to host Clarion-Goldfield.