Raiders on a rampage

Despite a raucous-home crowd and an energetic-pep band behind them the Scottsbluff Bearcats couldn't match the energy of Sidney's Red Raiders on the volleyball court.

In an important early season Class B, District 8 clash, the Raiders disappointed the Scottsbluff crowd with a straight-set victory Tuesday night.

Sidney won the contest 25-18, 25-19 and 25-17.

The win maintains the Raiders perfect record (3-0) in district play while their overall record advanced to 9-5. Scottbluff (5-6, 2-1) meanwhile, suffered its first district loss this season.

"This was an all-around team win," said hitter Abbi Porter. "No one player was responsible for the win tonight. Everyone contributed."

The Raiders were particularly strong at the service line and net. The Bearcats had few answers for Porter who struck down 15 kills to lead the Raiders. Savanna Rosenbaum had three kills. Porter and Rosenbaum also had their hands in front the Bearcat attackers all night.

"Besides our serving we were very aggressive at the net," said Head Coach Sarah Wilson. "Everybody had a good night."

Cody Rowley and Sarah Mahr again had strong all-around performances. Rowley contributed with seven kills, 13 setter assists, nine digs and two aces from the service line. Mahr had seven kills and 12 digs to go along with five aces.

"It was definitely an on night, I had a lot of fun tonight," Mahr said.

Mahr was especially effective serving. On three occassions Scottsbluff called a timeout during one of her service runs.

"I think they got me a couple of times when I started thinking about it too much," Mahr observed.

In addition to Sarah Mahr, Rowley, Abbi and Maddi Porter, Emily Mahr and Vanessa Riley had strong nights serving as well.

"The coaches give us numbers to shoot at on the floor," said Riley who had several good runs with her serve. "I think we were all having a good night hitting our spots."

Though Sidney was a little slow to get started, falling quickly into an 8-4 hole, Sarah Mahr began the reversal as she tapped an untouched point accross the net. With sister Emily serving the Raiders soon evened the set at 8-apiece.

After ties at 9, 10, 13 and 14 the Raiders began to take control. Abbi Porter scored Sidney's 15th point with an emphatic kill. Rowley followed with a firmly struck and cleverly placed ace to an open spot in the Bearcat back court.

When the score reached 17-15, Riley took over the serve and didn't stop until the lead reached 22-15. A Sarah Mahr ace and a couple of Scottsbluff errors later and the Raiders had game one.

Like the first set, game two was a see-saw affair until the score reached 8-8. Another ace by Mahr broke the tie but Scottsbluff deadlocked matters again at 12 on its way to taking a 15-12 lead.

When the Raiders finally caught back up with the Cats at 17-17, Nichele Romick helped turn the tide Sidney's way for good. After Romick's block couldn't be handled by the Bearcats the Raiders never again trailed in set two.

Sidney was in control of the the final set from the get-go. The visitors ran out to a 5-0 lead with Rowley giving Scottsbluff all it could handle from the service line. Sidney's biggest lead was 10 at 16-6 after Sarah Mahr's serve's proved too much to handle during a six-point Raider run.

When Emily Mahr set up Maddi Porter for the games final point, it was set and match for the Raiders.

"We wanted to send them a message," Wilson said. "We wanted to give them a reason to respect us."

Sidney travels back to Scottsbluff on Friday and Saturday for the tournament hosted by the Bearcats. The Raiders opening match on Friday is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the middle school. They're at the high school on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.