Lady Raiders earn straight-set victory over Sutherland

Despite opening the night down 6-0 in the first set, the Sidney Lady Raiders volleyball team went on to even its record at 2-2 with a straight-set victory over the Sutherland Lady Sailors in Sutherland Thursday evening.

The Raiders won by set scores of 25-13, 25-14 and 25-15. The Sailors are now 0-3 in the early going of the season. After its slow start, Sidney set the tone by scoring 25 of the next 32 points.

Junior Maddi Porter had a strong game at the net as she led the Raiders with 11 kills. Outside hitter Kelsey Knight added eight and middle hitter Annalise Lecher four. They were aided by 21 set assists from Emily Mahr.

“Last night our outside hitters were very strong for us,” said Raiders’ head coach Sarah Wilson. “The other night our middle was very strong and last night it was the outside. It’s nice to know that when a team shuts down the middle, our outside can be effective and vice versa.”

Freshman Payton Jung was strong on back line, most especially at the service line. She led the squad with five aces while Mahr dropped in four of her own.

“Our serving was very effective last night and that’s part of the reason our kill numbers were a little down,” Wilson said. “We weren’t getting the ball returned to us enough to set up our hitters.”

Defensively, Lecher had three blocks and Alex Wamsley two. Knight’s strong two-way play included a team high 12 digs. Libero Abbey Mills chipped in with seven and Porter five.

“What impresses me the most about this team up to now is its mental toughness. These girls don’t seem to get rattled very easily,” Wilson said.

The Raiders have a big week in front of them with important matches on Tuesday and Thursday. They will travel to Bridgeport to meet the host Lady Bulldogs (2-1) and the Chadron Lady Cardinals (3-0) in a triangular at 4 p.m. On Thursday, district opponent Alliance will visit the Cabela’s Athletic Faciltity with the freshmen beginning the action at 5 p.m.