Lady Pirates split matches with G-P, Oakesdale
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-EW photo by Naomi Scoggin
The Lady Pirates celebrated a three-set win over Garfield-Palouse with high fives all around. The squad focused on reducing unforced errors and rode that strategy to the win, 25-18, 25-18, 25-21, behind strong performances by Taylor Gilbert (9), Haliee Brewer (2), Carmen Fruh (13) and Haven Kimble (1). Also pictured: Olivia Cooper (4) and Isabella Field (5).
POMEROY––The Lady Pirates split matches last week, capitalizing on fewer unforced errors to defeat Garfield-Palouse Sept. 12, then struggling against a strong Oakesdale serving game, falling in three sets to the Lady Nighthawks.
Pomeroy visited Dayton in this week's Tuesday match (results next week) and travels to Rosalia tonight, Sept. 21, to face the Lady Timberwolves.
The Lady Bucs defeated Gar-Pal 25-18, 25-18, 25-21. Oakesdale didn't give Pomeroy's offense much room and downed them 9-25, 11-25, 12-25.
"I was very pleased with how we played against Gar/Pal," commented Head Coach Adam Van Vogt. "We improved in most facets of the match since the previous week, and ultimately were more consistent than Gar/Pal was.
"Staying away from unforced errors is really important for us and the difference in the match was that we made less than they did," he observed. "This was our most complete match of the season and one that really shows how much we have grown since summer as we simply played better in every aspect than we have previously."
Taylor Gilbert had a strong game against G-P, nailing five kills and serving five aces. Haliee Brewer counted four kills and digs, and Carmen Fruh was strong, serving 12 of 13 with three kills and three blocks. Haven Kimble fired two ace serves plus 13 assists.
Pomeroy's road against Oakesdale was rockier. "The biggest difference was our serve receive struggled," Van Vogt said. "Oakesdale serves the ball really well with low-trajectory serves that move a lot and we just haven't really seen that yet. It made it tough to get our hitters going as our passers were frequently adjusting to their serving.
"We got better each match and taking those serves will make us better moving forward," he added.
"We talked about how there's not always growth in comfort and how growth isn't always comfortable and I saw us end the match against Oakesdale better than we began," said Van Vogt. "I appreciated how we fought and got better as the night progressed."
Brewer made two kills and two ace serves in the match. Bethany Zimmerman counted four digs, and Haven Kimble made four assists and three digs.
The Pirates are 1-3, 1-2 in league. "We are gaining experience and getting better," the coach said. "I'm very proud of my girls' positive attitudes and growth so far and look forward to our matches next week."
