Indians stop Lions in Regional play

The Clear Lake volleyball team had momentum on its side when it began post-season play Monday, Oct. 27.  However a fired-up Forest City team kept the Lions down and advanced in Regional volleyball action, 3-0.   Clear Lake, which had won half of its last six matches, finished the season 7-25.

“Tonight was definitely not the way we wanted to go out, but as I told the girls in the locker room, ‘that’s life.’  You win some, you lose some,” said first year Coach Keith Sears after the match.   “I am very proud of the girls and how hard they worked all season. We made big strides as a team and a program this year, and only plan on improving in the future.”

The Lions started strong, despite some missed serves and inconsistent serve receive.  The Indians took advantage of the miscues and went on to a 25-19 win. 

“The second game started off on the wrong foot with a mixed up line-up, but the girls responded well to my gaff and played hard in the second set, said Coach Sears.  Again, Forest City jumped on the error and took game two by a score of 25-10.  

The third set had its moments, but once again, serve receive and hitting errors came back to plaque the Lions and they went down, 25-13.

Emily Snelling had a good game for the Lions, going 7/7 at the service line with one ace.   Snelling, a sophomore, was also the leader in digs with 11 and kills with six.  

Lindsey Loudenburg and Emily Phalen were both 10/11 serving with an ace apiece.  Loudenburg had a team-high 11 assists.   

Phalen was credited with nine digs and had three kills.  Katie Hewett was also strong at the net with three kills.

The Lions graduate eight players from the 2014 team.  Loudenburg, Phalen, Hewett, Carney Frahm, Sam Wilkenson, Kaye Faber, Sidney Borrill and exchange student Sophia Mbonde have provided senior leadership for the Lion squad this season.

  “Not many coaches are lucky enough to have eight seniors on their team in their first year of coaching.  I was lucky not only to have eight of them, but eight great teammates and individuals on and off of the court.”