Sweep gets Lafayette Jeff back on track

Click to view image

PICS! PICS! PICS! CHECK THEM OUT! Lafayette Jeff’s volleyball team needed to beat somebody.

The Bronchos didn’t care who it was, but sweeping a county rival made it extra special.

Powered by Auna McGaughey’s 11 kills, four aces, nine digs and two blocks, Lafayette Jeff claimed a 25-23, 25-14, 25-19 victory over Central Catholic at McHale Gymnasium on Tuesday.

“We just needed a confidence boost,” McGaughey said. “We’ve been struggling.”

It was the Bronchos’ first win since beating Benton Central on Aug. 28, snapping a three-match losing streak.

“We’ve been having some issues for a while and it was really nice to just go out there and take care of business and play like we know we can play,” said senior Kate Halliwell, who had 10 kills. “We know what we’re capable of. We just don’t execute sometimes.”

After surviving a first-set rally by CC, Jeff put together long service runs in the next two games to build big leads.

The Knights were forced to play from behind, ultimately losing the second after a pair of Jessica Griggs aces closed the set.

“That’s been a problem all year, we always dig ourselves in a hole and we have to climb back out of it,” CC senior Alanna Roswarski said. “With a team that good, you can’t.”

Emily Denhart’s six kills led CC, which also got 12 digs from Belle Dieterle and nine from Bre Fickle. Maddie Matson served four aces for the Knights (8-5).

Madison Flanagan was removed from the match after a mental mistake but returned to provide a strong defensive surge. Flanagan led the Bronchos (7-5) with 11 digs. Connor Garrity finished with 10 digs and 28 assists.

“It’s nice having Madison in the back row,” McGaughey said. “She gets everything up and moves her feet pretty fast. Even though (Lafayette Jeff coach) Scott (Graves) got on her after that one play, she came back out strong than before.”

The Bronchos got some breathing room in the third after McGaughey’s kills sent her to the service line, where Carlie Hinkel followed with a kill and McGaughey served an ace to jumpstart a 7-2 run. CC rallied to tie the score at 19, but Megan Isbell served out the set for the sweep.