LADY LOBOS BOW OUT

The Lady Lobos finished first in the Northwest small B League. They had a perfect 9-0 league record and won the right to host the first portion of the District Tournament.

Last Thursday, Nov. 27, in a five game match, Lopez took on the Shoreline Christian Crusaders. In game one, Lopez challenged the Crusaders at every turn, but bowed 23-25.

Things didn’t start out well for the Lady Lobos in game two, as they fell behind 5-12. But there was no quit in Lopez, and with some great serving by Isabelle Tetu and a huge momentum swing, the Lobos were suddenly within two at 12-14.

Lopez tied the game up at 21, then took the lead 22-21 with Adayla Buchanan serving.

The Crusaders ran off three straight points for a 22-24 lead before Lopez took a time out.

The Lady Lobos had settled themselves down when they stepped back onto the court. Tetu added a point when she tipped over a Crusader block, then Brooks Brady tied the game at 24 when she did the same thing.

Lopez took the lead 25-24 when Shoreline couldn't return a service, but gave the point back on a service error. Shorline then took a 26-25 lead when Lopez couldn't return a volley. But the Crusaders missed a volley on game point and that was all the opportunity Lopez needed. Gwenna Coiley put her team up 27-26 with a service ace. Lopez closed the game on the next volley 28-26.

"It gave them a lot of confidence," coach David "Chico" Chicovsky said of the win.

The Crusaders came back to win game three 22-25, but the Lady Lobos evened the match up with a 25-19 win in game four. The final game would determine the winner and a shoe horn into Tri-District.

The lady Lobos fell behind early, and although they fought back, it was too little too late as the Crusaders won 8-15.

"Brooks (Brady) had the best match of her career," Chicovsky said of his junior star. Brady led her team with nine kills and four aces, and played a tremendous game in the back row. Lisa Vaughn was next with eight kills, while Tetu hammered four.

Promising freshman Emily Post Van Der Berg showed her talent at the net by stuffing two Crusader kill attempts and sending three of her own kills home.

On Saturday, Oct. 29 the Lady Lobos defeated Skykomish in three games, then played a loser-out match against the Orcas Vikings.

Lopez bowed out in three hard fought games, 23-25, 12-25 and 23-25.

Sophomore April Holland had a sensational day in the back row digging up Orcas' hard hits. "I was really proud of the way April (Holland) played," Chicovsky said. Holland also served 100 percent during the match.

Brady brought life to the Lobos in game three when they trailed 12-20. She served nine straight points, giving Lopez a 21-20 lead.

Gretchen Scherzinger and Buchanan also put all of their serves into play.

The loss to the Vikings marked the end of post-season play for the Lobos.

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