Broncos sweep Gorillas in first match of the season

DAVENPORT — The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos came to town and used strong serve attacks and solid defense to sweep Davenport (0-1) in three sets, 25-13, 25-20, 25-10.

It was the first match for either team since Fall 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, players had to wear masks and sit six feet apart from each other on the bench. The two teams didn't shake hands before or after the game, but acknowledged each other through a friendly wave and "hello" across the net before the game.

"I don't know if I know how fun it seemed for them to be out there playing," LRS head coach Cari Galbreath said after the game. "It makes all the different challenges that we're all facing with COVID, it's okay. We can play, we can sit apart from each other (and) we can wear masks and play the game."

Taylor Galbreath's five aces helped keep Davenport on the defensive for most of the game, as the Gorillas struggled to defend the Bronco's sharp serves. Galbreath also had 10 assists and a block for LRS.

"We were talking a lot more," Galbreath said. "After the game, my players were saying, 'we have such good chemistry (and) we were having fun out there.' I think that's a propellant to keep having fun (and) to keep going."

The Broncos came out on the attack and took a 10-2 lead in the first set. Haley Greenwood moved to serve partway through the first set for Davenport and helped the Gorillas score three straight points, but LRS pulled away for the 25-13 first set victory.

Davenport took an early 4-1 lead in the second set behind a strong spike from Kylee Buchanan, and the set remained close before LRS went on a 7-0 run and closed the victory. The third set was never close, as the Broncos started with a 10-1 lead and never looked back en route to the victory.

"I'm really excited for these girls (and) to see their growth throughout the season," Davenport head coach Heather Jacoby said. "We have to be disciplined, and we can't make silly errors."

Janaye Wilkie and Sydney Kinch added five kills each for LRS.

Buchanan led Davenport with six kills and a block. Koda Coffman added six aces, while freshman Samantha Odenrider came off the bench and provided six digs. Allison Jorden added 10 assists and a block for the Gorillas.

The Broncos were next scheduled to travel to Colfax Feb. 23. Their first home game is scheduled for Feb. 27 against Northwest Christian. A second home game is scheduled for March 2 against Davenport.