TAAC champs top Lakers

TAAC champs top Lakers

Danbury's Lancaster has good night in home finale

6:05 AM, Oct. 11, 2011 

Written by:  Matt Horn  

 LAKESIDE -- Toledo Christian coach Dave Conley's question for his unbeaten team was rhetorical Monday.

"Who have you figured out not to hit to?," Conley asked his girls during Danbury's 25-12, 25-10, 25-14 setback to the Toledo Area Athletic Conference champion Eagles (18-1, 11-0). "They were hitting too many balls at (Angela Lancaster) but she did a good job reading. She's a darn good player. I definitely was impressed."

Lancaster, the Lakers' senior libero, had 25 digs and 18 serve-receive passes. She had 210 more digs than her closest teammate entering Monday's match.

"It was sad but I felt like I played competitively," Lancaster said of her final home match.

Lancaster's description of her role for Danbury (5-15, 2-11) was simple. The sliding, diving and sprawling she does as her feet, body and knee pads squeak, thud and screech nearly every play for a dig or save, however, does not look easy.

"Just to get the ball up," she said. "Just do all I can for my team."

Jessica Hruby also played her final home match for the Lakers.

"Knowing Toledo Christian is a very strong team, the girls got up and played behind their seniors," Danbury coach Sarrah Palmer said. "They did some good things in the back row, especially Angela. Ending plays with a strong hit in the front row has been a struggle.

"The fact we only had two seniors hurt us with experience and maturity but (Monday) the seniors stepped up and became a highlight and ended on a high note."

You won't always notice the numbers Lancaster compiles but you can depend on relentless effort.

"She won't throw up giant stats but when she's gone we'll really miss her," Palmer said. "We'll see holes in the back row we assume she'll cover because she flies all over.

"She's the type you can pull her and tell her she needs to play better and she responds."

Danbury started slowly in each game Monday.

"A lot of times when a team gets on a serving roll, it adds up to four or five points quicker than you think," Palmer said. "You have to break serve."

Erin Lavelle had four kills, and Kelsey Clemons was perfect serving and 25 for 25 setting with four assists.

"Angela and Kelsey have been consistent leaders on the floor by example with the way they play," Palmer said. "Sophomores Alyssa Almendinger and Lindsay Mark are the two that generally keep the mood up with positive energy."

Email Matthew Horn at mhorn@gannett.com