Lady Broncos split week of league competition - LRS remains tied with Liberty for second in league standings

The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Lady Broncos volleyball team entered the home stretch of Northeast 2B South League play on Oct. 10, with a four-set loss against Liberty: 16-25, 25-15, 25-25, 25-20.

The Lady Broncos bounced back from the loss on “Paint the Gym Pink and Teal” night on Oct. 12 with a four-set league win against Reardan: 25-22, 25-20, 30-32, 25-22.

Head Coach Cari Galbreath said the Lady Broncos came out with strong offense against Liberty in the first set. Galbreath said LRS’ offense was not as strong in the second game, which allowed the Lady Lancers to capture the set.

Although the Lady Broncos were ahead in the score during different points of the third and fourth sets, Galbreath said they were unable to capture a win in either game.

Lacey Miller led the match with 29 assists and had three aces, while Peyton Curtis and Sierra Kiel recorded nine kills each.

On defense, Ellie Gering had nine digs and Curtis notched six blocks.

Galbreath acknowledged the Liberty loss was frustrating and a let down to her and the team, yet she feels the Lady Broncos have a good chance to defeat the Liberty in their next match, which is Senior Night on Oct. 24.

Against the Lady Indians, Galbreath said the Lady Broncos played a slower-paced game than they were used to during the first two sets.

During game three, Galbreath explained said the Lady Broncos were “lackadaisical” and took several chances, which resulted in offensive errors and gave the Lady Indians the opportunity to capture the set.

LRS kept a strong lead in set four and went on to win the game and the match. Galbreath said the combination of serving errors and sluggish blocking from the Lady Broncos allowed Reardan’s hitters to score points and keep the game close.

Miller recorded 43 assists, while Rachel Schell had 11 kills and Alarah Pierce-Pulliam recorded four aces.

On defense, Gering and Tessa O’Brien led the match with 14 digs each, and Emma Aldrich recorded three blocks.

LRS, who are 5-2 and 7-2 overall, are still tied with Liberty for second place in the league standings after the Lady Lancers lost to Colfax, 3-0, on Oct. 12.

The Lady Broncos traveled Colfax to play the undefeated Lady Bulldogs on Oct. 19. Colfax handed the Lady Broncos their first league loss, 3-0, on Sept. 26.

Galbreath said during practice, the team is focusing more on improving their game and working on becoming consistent on the court, rather than worrying about their opponents.

“I hope when we go to Colfax we can rally and play better than we did last time,” Galbreath said. “I want them to walk away feeling good about how they performed.”

The Lady Broncos will travel to Asotin to play the fourth-place Lady Panthers on Oct. 21 for their final away match of the regular season.

LRS defeated the Lady Panthers, 3-2, on Oct. 7.

Against the Lady Panthers, Galbreath said she wants to see Lady Broncos play their game, utilize their strengths and reduce chances to allow Asotin to score points and make it a close match.