LLCC defeats Lewis and Clark: 25--15, 22-25, 25-17, 25-19

LLCC traveled to Godfrey for a Region/MWAC match against Lewis and Clark, needing 90 minutes and four sets to vanquish Lewis and Clark.  The Loggers started fast, breaking open the first set behind the hitting of Kiley Brunstein, winning it with two kills from freshman Molly Tauke and a final block by Olivia Dour and Erika Miller.

In the second set, LLCC's defense spotted Lewis & Clark a quick 6-2 lead, though the Loggers tied it at 8 on a Maree Taig crushing overpass kill and an ace by Molly Tauke.  Unfortunately, at 12-12, L+C broke it open with two kills and questionable LLCC defense and communication.  "You can't have those breakdowns against a scrappy team.  You have to make them earn points, and when they kept the ball in play, we didn't do that.  It was a great second set for them," Coach Dietz said.

In the third, things were close until 6-6 when Molly Tauke's hitting again opened a gap that the Trailblazers couldn't close as LLCC finished off the set with a setter dump from sophomore Lainey Jackson.  Then in the deciding set, the Loggers led the entire way, Lewis and Clark coming close only after the Loggers were aced twice, but behind the blocking of Erika Miller and Ashley Melton, the Loggers took control again until the Trailblazers just missed a shot at match point for LLCC to get the win.

"We were grinding tonight," Coach Dietz said.  "It's frustrating when we make certain mistakes--things we keep spending time on in practice.  Still," he admitted, "We didn't give up and that's important.  That can carry you thru the nights where it just isn't working smoothly."

The Logger record now sits at 8-6, 1-1 in Conference, and 1-1 in Region.

MATCH STATS:
Digs: Thomas 20, Marusic 15
Aces: Tauke 2, Marusic 1, Edwards 1
Blocks: Melton 5, Miller 3
Assists: Jackson 46
Kills: Brunstein 15, Tauke 11, Melton 10