By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence could not break down the Big Blue wall at the net.
Columbus North’s blocking power up front, causing demoralizing damage when a spike got sent back to its origin point, propelled the Bull Dogs to a four-set victory over the Stars on Tuesday night. BNL does not lack athletic leapers and hitters on the front row, they just need the vertical head start that other teams possess. At the meeting point, above the 7-foot-4 net, higher hands usually win.
North (14-8) dominated the blocking statistics, smacking back 17 BNL spikes, while posting a 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 25-16 triumph. That high total, combining solo blocks and assists, pointed to North’s height-and-reach advantage – and impeccable timing to stuff BNL’s attack.
”When you have six-foot kids all over the place, it’s easy to do,” BNL coach Aaron Wagoner said. “We’re not blessed with height, so we have to use what we’ve got.”
North’s front line of Sophie Rohls (10 blocks total) and Lexi Denny, plus the hitting of Izabella Rice (11 kills) and Tania Maldonado (9 kills) made the difference.
”This was our best blocking match,” North coach Sarah Stair said. “We made unforced errors that were uncharacteristic, in hitting and other things, but this was our strongest blocking game. We’ve been on the receiving end of that.”
The Stars, trailing 17-12 in the first set, got within a single point six times but could not pull even. The Bull Dogs blasted to a 13-3 lead to start the second set and cruised from there, threatening to sweep home with a quick win.
BNL’s best moments came midway through the third. With Amelia Lawmaster on the service line, the Stars surged with six straight points, thanks to two Lawmaster aces and two Lily Mishler kills. Other key points came from Jenna Allen (a kill from the back row for 17-10), Adalynn Bailey (an ace for 19-13), Emry Crane (a spike off the block for 24-20) and Allen (the kill for set point). But that momentum did not last.
Mishler paced the Stars with 12 kills and three aces, Izzy Root totaled 11 kills with three blocks, Crane added nine kills, Allen had six kills, Bailey finished with 32 assists and 15 digs, and Lily Wagoner added 13 digs.
“I think Mishler is the most capable hitter out there,” Wagoner said. “She was hitting from everywhere. Give her the ball.
“I feel like we’re trending up, and the pinnacle is in October. We’re getting ready for it. Our ball control was pretty darn good. Jenna was phenomenal on the back row.”
BNL (9-14) will visit Charlestown on Thursday.
