Louise tries county rival, falls 3-1
By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Kris Bagley Sarah Wills It Sarah Williamson (5) has been powerful all season long for the Lady Hornets. Here, she tries to send a shot past two Boling defenders for a kill in Tuesday's match. Louise lost to Boling 3-1.

The Lady Hornets hosted Boling Tuesday in one of Louise's closest volleyball matches to date.

Even though Louise lost in four games with scores of 21-25, 28-26, 24-26 and 22- 25, the Lady Hornets proved they could stay with pretty much any team - even with a much bigger Boling squad.

The second game was clearly Louise's best in the match. Not only did the Lady Hornets win 28-26, but for the most part, they had Boling scrambling around the net.

The Lady Hornets took an early lead in the game due to an increased energy level and great play at the net.

Sarah Williamson led a lethal Lady Hornet attack to a 5-1 lead.

Amber Bain joined in after Boling scored twice. She showed a lot of muscle in powering through a double block at the net to boost Louise to a 7-2 lead.

Bain's hit brought her up to serve and Louise quickly scored two more points to lead 9-2.

Boling scored once more to make the score 9-3, but Louise reclaimed control of the match with the next point and Kirsten Machicek came up to serve.

Machicek, Louise's setter, is one of the Lady Hornets' best servers. She has led the team on several runs this season, just like she did against Boling.

The Lady Hornets, with Machicek serving scored four straight points to take a 14-3 lead and cause Boling to call a timeout.

While the two teams headed for their benches, there was a clear difference in intensity. The Lady Hornets yelled as they ran off the court while the Lady Bulldogs seemed dejected.

When the teams came back on the court, Boling started to build a comeback.

The Lady Bulldogs outscored Louise 7-2 after the timeout to cut Louise's lead to 16-10.

Louise came together to score once more, but Boling's streak was only starting.

The Lady Bulldogs rallied to cut the lead to 17-16 and eventually tied the game up at 19-19.

It took a strong effort from the entire team to bring Louise back into the lead.

Katie Brown and Gabby Foster joined with Williamson to provide Louise's spark as the game drew to its end.

The three ladies combined for several great blocks and attacks as the game continued to move back and forth. Still, Boling was able to take its first lead of the game at 25-24.

Louise made several great digs in the next series and came back to tie the game at 25-25.

After moving ahead 27-26, it was Bain who brought the game to an end.

During a long series, Bain ran to attack the net and instead gave the ball a gentle tip past the Boling defenders and directly to the ground.

Louise won the game 28-26.

The Lady Hornets stayed close with Boling for the final two games in the match, but ultimately fell in four games.

The Lady Hornets traveled to Ganado Friday night and will play in Shiner Tuesday.

Louise hosts Nordheim for the Lady Hornets' first district match Sept. 21.