Lady Broncos crush Royal City in three, topple Medical Lake for homecoming win

Dalyn Killian was on fire Tuesday night on offense and defense, helping to lead the LRS Lady Broncos to a three game sweep of Royal City in a nonleague home match. The team delivered a decisive victory, 25-9, 25-16 and 25-13.

“Dalyn didn’t just come out swinging hard, but also played some great defense in the back row,” exclaimed head coach Cari Galbreath. “It was a complete team victory as everyone got a chance to contribute.”

Killian served up three aces, a block, 11 kills and 17 digs. Jenna Bennett turned in her own double figures in the stat column Tuesday with 23 assists, six service aces, two kills one block and five digs.

Mallory Kessler finished with one ace, five kills, and one dig. Amanda Yockey provided three aces, three kills and one assist. Sydney Nelson contributed three aces, six kills, two assists and five digs.

Maya Wahl added three kills and two assists. Elizabeth Schofstoll recorded two digs. Randi York posted one kill and two digs. Kelly Melville delivered an ace and two kills. Jana Mattox provided seven digs. Caitlin Schoessler had one dig.

Thursday, Sept. 20, the Lady Broncos enjoyed another home court win, this one for homecoming versus Medical Lake, 25-23, 25-16 and 25-18.

“This was not the prettiest match to watch, but it was our first home game and homecoming as well,” Galbreath said. “I know there were some nerves going on among the players. But I am happy that we won.”

Bennett was among the statistical leaders with four aces, four kills, four assists and 10 digs. Killian provided five kills, one block, one assist and three digs. Kessler finished the night with one ace, four kills, two blocks and one dig. Nelson provided one ace, one kill, six assists and two digs. Mattox had one kill, one assist and 10 digs. Wahl finished with three kills and five digs. Yockey and York each had two aces, one kill and two digs. Schofstoll recorded and ace.

“We need to work on playing a more disciplined game,” Galbreath said. “We have a tendency to wait for our opponents to make us play at a better level when we should be dictating how we play.”

Last Tuesday, Sept. 18, the Lady Broncos defeated Almira-Coulee/Hartline on the road, 25-23, 26-24 and 25-12.

“I was thrilled we won in three straight sets,” Galbreath said. “We didn’t play our best but we had some good moments. We ended up running a different rotation than normal. Sydney Nelson was our lone setter instead of the usual Jenna Bennett. I decided to do that to allow Jenna’s wrist a break. Sydney did a great job stepping into this role and running the team’s offense. Jana Mattox had some great digs and in her defensive role.”

Nelson finished with three kills, one block, eight assists and four digs. Mattox delivered four digs. Kessler finished with two blocks, five kills and two aces. Killian had six kills, three blocks, one assist and one dig. Bennett finished with 10 digs and three blocks. Yockey had four kills and seven digs. Wahl finished with a dig and York had one ace, one kill and three digs.

During the Rosalia Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 15, the Lady Broncos were successful on varsity and junior varsity. Both teams finished second overall in the tournament, losing only to Colton. The C squad traveled to Warden for tournament play on the same day and took second place.

“We played a ton at Rosalia which was great,” Galbreath said. “Dalyn finaly got to suit up and play and boy did she play. She did great and the team enjoyed having her on the court. Sydney also played really well at Rosalia. She played smart and worked hard. It was a pretty good day, although I wish we could have taken first place.”

League play commences Thursday with a road trip to Colfax. Saturday the Lady Broncos come home to host Liberty.

“We played Liberty at the Rosalia Tournament and beat them,” Galbreath said. “However they seem to be hot and cold and we will have to eliminate any opportunity for them to get momentum on their side.”