Lady Broncos end Homecoming week with two league wins

The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Lady Broncos volleyball team continued their path to the postseason after going 2-1 during Homecoming Week.

After a 3-0 non-league loss against Almira-Coulee/Hartline on Oct. 3, LRS had back-to-back 2B Northeast South League victories. They recorded a 3-0 win against Tekoa-Rosalia on Oct. 5 and a 3-2 victory against Asotin on Oct. 7.

ACH swept the Broncos in three sets: 25-18, 25-20, 25-23.

Head Coach Cari Galbreath said the team did not flow very well in the first two sets of the match. The Lady Broncos were able to find their groove in the third set to keep the scores close, but they were unable to capture the win.

“If we would have gotten that third set, the rest of the night would have gone differently for us,” Galbreath said.

Lacey Miller had 13 assists and Peyton Curtis led the team with four kills. On defense, Ellie Gering had five digs while Rachel Schell recorded three blocks.

The Lady Broncos rebounded from the loss to defeat the Lady Timberwolves 25-16, 25-17, 26-24. Galbreath said the Lady Broncos quickly “took care of business” against the Lady Timberwolves.

She was happy with how the team focused on playing to their style instead slowing down to match the Lady Timberwolves’ pace of play.

Miller notched 39 assists while Curtis led the match with 12 kills and Aldrich had a season-best five aces. On defense, Gering recorded 11 digs while Eliza Galbreath notched four blocks.

The Lady Broncos returned to Gilson Gym to defeat Asotin in a close battle to conclude Homecoming week: 23-25, 25-16, 27-29, 25-19, 15-10.

After the Lady Broncos dropped a close first set, they battled back to win game two. Asotin won set three to once again lead the match until LRS won the next two games to secure the victory.

Although the Lady Broncos won the match, Galbreath said they could have defeated a team like Asotin in three sets. She explained the team played more of a lethargic pace compared to their match against Tekoa-Rosalia.

“We had some good moments, but we couldn’t finish in sets one and three,” Galbreath said. “With a team like Asotin, we can’t make mistakes.”

Miller had a season-best 51 assists and four aces. Curtis led the match in kills with 17 while Galbreath had a season-best 14. On defense, Gering notched 13 digs while Galbreath recorded two blocks.

The Lady Broncos, who are 4-1 in league play and 6-3 overall, are tied with Liberty for second place in the 2B Northeast South League standings.

On Oct. 10, LRS traveled to Liberty to play the Lady Lancers to determine second place in the league. Galbreath said the Liberty match will be emotional for LRS and hopes the team’s maturity will keep them focused during the night.

The Lady Broncos return to Gilson Gym on Oct. 12 to play fifth-place Reardan for “Dig Pink” night. The team will wear pink jerseys in recognition of breast cancer awareness, and encourages attendees to wear pink.

Galbreath said she is happy with the overall progress the Lady Broncos and their focus as they move forward is to continue working hard.