Jenna Guse
The Columbus East volleyball team controlled the match right from the opening serve as they crushed Hoosier Hills Conference foe Bedford North Lawrence 25-11, 25-13, 25-14 Tuesday night at the Orange Pit.
The win snaps a six-match losing skid for the Olympians.
“They came out with a lot more energy, a little bit more intensity,” East coach Ellyn McIntosh said. “We’ve been working on it in practice. We had a good week of practices, so I was happy to see that translate to the court.”
The Olympians (5-11, 3-1) dominated the first set early, going ahead 12-2. The Stars came as close as seven at one point, but East had no trouble closing out the set.
The second set was very similar to the first as the Olympians soared out to a 13-1 lead. BNL didn’t put up any type of threat, and East closed out the set.
It was much tighter in the third set early. The Stars had the lead a few times, but with the score tied at 11-11, the Olympians locked in and ballooned the lead to 22-12 and eventually closed out the set and get the sweep in the match.
“This week, we focused on support and determination and the grind at practice,” East senior Jenna Guse said. “I think that all came together, and gave us some more confidence as a team together.”
Guse finished with 13 kills, six digs and five aces. Caroline Frost had 12 kills, a solo block and an assist block. Krea Martin tallied 24 assists and six aces, and Chloe Gilley had 24 digs and two aces.
Also for the Olympians, Lilah Klei pounded seven kills, Addison Emery finished with 11 digs and Lauren Smith added six digs.
East has another key HHC matchup when they host New Albany on Thursday at the Orange Pit.
