The Spartans took on the unenviable role of lion tamer this week as Lakeside brought it’s tall, talented and high-powered team to Bainbridge for a much anticipated matchup in girls varsity volleyball.
And it almost turned into a cage match for the Lions, who were ranked No. 5 in the state in 3A volleyball last week, during their visit to Paski Gymnasium.
Though Bainbridge lost in three sets, the Spartans backed up the Lions on their heels repeatedly through the match.
A loud and boisterous student section hung on every serve and shook the rafters with shouts and cheers for every Spartan point, starting with Bainbridge’s first point, through following 2-2 and 3-3 ties, then still as the Spartans went down by three, then popped back up to 11-11, then down by one, then two.
Bainbridge Coach Julie Miller admitted their sometimes hilarious chants brought a smile to her face.
“They were awesome. It’s been really fun to have some fans there and showing great school spirit,” Miller said.
Lakeside won the first set 25-18, but the Spartans found they could score on the Lions and the rest of the night became a battle.
Lakeside came out on the good end of a few heroic volleys in the second set, and won, 25-21, and hung on to repeat the deed in the third set with another 25-21 win.
“We definitely have improved since the beginning of the season,” Miller said of her Spartan squad. “It was really nice to see them start a little bit stronger and battle throughout the game.”
Bainbridge came in as the underdog, with Lakeside still smarting from a loss to Holy Names.
“Lakeside definitely had some big girls and some athletic girls, but we did a good job of keeping the ball and putting the ball back over and make them work for their points,” Miller said.
Hannah Wagner led the Spartans with 13 kills, three aces and seven digs.
Emilia Dronkert tallied 20 assists for Bainbridge, while fellow Spartan Riley Kulfan had 12 digs.
Erika Mattes contributed seven digs to the Spartan effort and Adrienne Fountain finished with three blocks.
The Spartans’ schedule will continue to be unkind for Bainbridge going into next week.
Bainbridge faces Holy Names, ranked as No. 3 in the last 3A statewide coaches’ poll, at home at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6.
