Lady Broncos claim league victory against Reardan, prep for TR

The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Lady Broncos completed their third consecutive week of traveling to matches with a match on Thursday, Sept. 29, in Reardan and another on Saturday, Oct. 1, in Colfax.

During Thursday night’s match, the volleyball team claimed victory in Reardan, winning three of four sets. The scores of the sets were 25-18, 12-25, 25-21 and 25-5.

Despite winning the game, Head Coach Cari Galbreath said the team did not play to the best of their abilities. She explained every player seemed to be having an “off night” but continued to fight through to the end.

The Lady Broncos’ serves continue to be their biggest weakness and require more practice, added Galbreath.

The team could not seem to find the best spot to serve against Reardan and Tessa Jantz led the match in aces with two. Tessa O’Brien and Kierstin Witt each had one ace.

Galbreath said she noticed the team still required practice on their hitting with being confident in striking the ball. Jantz claimed the most kills with seven during the match. Eliza Galbreath trailed close behind her with four.

Rachel Schell, Galbreath, Peyton Curtis and Jantz remained in a defensive mindset with one block each during the match.

Habitually displaying precise setting abilities, Miller claimed the most assists with four. As a setter, Miller is expected to set up her teammates for a kill or another pass and she continues to succeed.

She also remained determined to prevent her opponents from scoring by leading the match in digs with three.

Overall, Galbreath said the biggest highlight of the match was the level of teamwork in the fourth set. The Lady Broncos trampled Reardan, only allowing them five points throughout the entire game.

Galbreath said the reason for the score could be summed up to the players working together as a team and becoming one unit.

She enjoyed watching the team celebrate together and not in individual victories.

During their match on Saturday against Colfax, the team struggled with containing a strong mentality throughout the entire match. The Lady Broncos accepted defeat in three sets with scores of 18-25, 15-25 and 11-25.

Galbreath said the team started the match off well by challenging Colfax through the first set.

Jantz continued to showcase strong serving abilities and led the match in aces with five.

Due to the fact the Colfax varsity volleyball team are defending champions, Galbreath said she expected it to be a tough match. During the second half of the second set, the Lady Broncos seemed to stop competing, she explained.

The score of the game started to affect the Lady Broncos’ mental game when Colfax began to maintain the lead, said Galbreath.

The team did not prove to be successful in defending their opponents at the net as Galbreath and Jantz led the match in blocks with one each.

Miller constantly searched for opportunities to set her teammates up for a kill and claimed the most assists with 13 during the match.

Jantz led the match in kills with six.

Colfax remained strong in their hitting and continued to have powerful hits against the Lady Broncos. O’Brien remained in a defensive mentality by diving on the ground to save balls and led the team in digs with nine.

Galbreath said the team would continue to work on their game consistency and mentality. Pushing themselves and their teammates to earn the next point in a match despite the score will be their focus for upcoming practices.

The Lady Broncos host Tekoa-Rosalia on Thursday, Oct. 6, in Gilson Gymnasium. The event is varsity only, with the match beginning at 6 p.m.