Lakewood Rangers Take District Volleyball Title in Five-Set Thriller
Ari Hueter's late kill and a 5-0 serving run by Kara Laidley carried Lakewood past Twinsburg 17-15 in the decider.
By Bianca Ricci ·
Lakewood claimed the district volleyball championship on Oct. 28, closing out Twinsburg 17-15 in the fifth set after surrendering two straight leads. The Rangers took the first two sets 25-15 and 25-19, then dropped the next two 21-25 and 22-25 before the decider.
The fifth set turned on serving. Down 11-9, Lakewood ran off five straight points behind Kara Laidley's serve to lead 14-11. Twinsburg answered to tie it at 14, then again at 15. Ari Hueter then put away a set from Mia Dugan, and a Twinsburg attack sailed long to end the match.
Kara Laidley and Gabi Alstadt came off the bench in sets four and five. Alstadt contributed kills; Laidley handled serving and back-row work. In the front line, Hueter, Laine Sheehan and Alyssa Volcansek put down kills, with Clio Burgoyne contributing blocks. Mia Dugan and Aliyah Plicka set, and Addi Hoy worked the back row.
Indigo Moncrief and Tess Thrasher also turned in performances for Lakewood. Moncrief contributed at the net and from the back row. Thrasher, a libero, dug hard hits throughout the match. The team finished the night with a trophy under head coach Terry Spilker.
Lakewood, seeded in the Sweet 16, advances with the district crown.
Source: Lakewood Observer
