Lady Raiders Roll With Three More Wins

Sidney's Lady Raider Volleyball team continued their strong start to the 2022 season with three more wins in four chances over the past week. The team improved its record to 6-and-2, and the players seem settled and confident in their roles, and are positioned correctly to maximize their talents.

On Tuesday, September 6, the Lady Raiders travelled to Mitchell to match up against the winless Lady Tigers. Sidney played well against a Mitchell squad that battled, but the Lady Raiders were able to take the first two sets 25-to-19 and 25-to-15. In the third set, Sidney took an early lead, with their strong serves and good setting keeping Mitchell off-balance and out of system. Sidney opened a good lead, but Mitchell started to claw back. Then Sidney went on a 7-to-0 run to bring their score to 24, and then finished off the Lady Tigers, taking the third set 25-to-13 for the 3-to-0 match victory. Junior Karysn Leeling continued her scoring prowess with 14 kills in the match. Sidney outhit Mitchell 30-to-14.

Sidney next traveled on Saturday to the Cozad Invitational, and matched up first against the Gothenburg squad. The undefeated Lady Swedes took it to the Lady Raiders, earning a big win in the first set, 25-to-11, and then battling and hanging on against the Lady Raiders in the second set before prevailing 25-to-17. Gothenburg outhit Sidney 19-to-12, and had 7 service aces to Sidney's 2.

The Lady Raiders regrouped for their second match of the day, and had a tight battle with the Ainsworth Lady Bulldogs. After outlasting Ainsworth in the first set and taking a 25-to-21 victory, the Lady Raiders were pushed to the limit in the second set, requiring extra points to finally put the Lady Bulldogs away with 28-to-26 second set victory for the 2-to-0 match victory.

Sidney's final match of the day had them face off with the Valentine Lady Badgers, and the Valentine squad was no match for Sidney, dropping the first set 25-to-12 and then the second set 25-to-9 to give Sidney the 2-to-0 match victory. Sidney outhit Valentine 21-to-6, and were again led by Leeling's 10 kills in the match. Senior Reese Riddle had 18 assists in the victory.

Sidney's record moves to 6-and-2 and they were scheduled to travel to Chadron on Tuesday for a triangular with Chadron and Bridgeport.