Ladies snap losing streak

Lady Raider Volleyball split its matches last week.

At home Oct. 7, Lake Roosevelt faced a Liberty Bell team they had defeated back in September, but the rematch turned into a Mt. Lion victory 3 games to 1.

“It was disappointing to lose to LB in three games,” Head Coach Nate Piturachsatit said. “We beat them in four our prior match, and then to lose so convincingly is difficult to take.”

Kammi Rosenbaum served up six aces against the Mt. Lions. Sean Garvin served two aces of her own and served with 79 percent success. Jocelyn Moore chipped in five kills and Garvin as setter had nine assists.

With LR’s losing streak up to six, Piturachsatit made some changes in the lineup and rotation before the match at Oroville Thursday. “I’m hoping change will help us out of our rut,” he said, “and I think this new lineup will work better for the girls and put people where we need them most.”

The changes worked at Oroville as the Lady Raiders snapped their losing streak, defeating the Hornets in a four-game match.

LR served up 24 aces, with Sean Garvin leading the squad with 10. LR also attacked the net, picking up 35 kills, “three times our normal,” the coach noted, “which is an area we have needed to improve.”

Moore led the Lady Raiders with 11 kills, followed by Lachelle Bearcub with 10. Aiyanna Picard had four kills and a block against the Hornets.

Piturachsatit also pointed out that defense on a serve increased to a 62 percent success rate. “This is a huge increase to where we have been and along with our kill percent is one of our best improvements,” he said.

LR looks to keep the positive improvement going this week as the end of the regular season and districts come into view. Last night, the Lady Raiders hosted the Bridgeport Fillies. Tomorrow, LR travels to Manson for a 7 p.m. match against the Trojans. Manson defeated the Lady Raiders Sept. 23. LR hosts the Tonasket Tigers Oct. 21 for a 7 p.m. match at Gailord Nelson Gym. The Lady Raiders lost to Tonasket in a four-game match on Sept. 25.

All these matches are important for the Lady Raiders’ prospects of playing in districts this season. The Central Washington North 2B will get five spots into districts, the South three. Because of the losing streak, LR is sitting at sixth place. With Manson in fifth and a one-game lead on LR, it is important the Lady Raiders win out or win more than they lose down the stretch to try for the last spot into districts.

LR- 10 25 21

LB- 25 27 25

LR- 25 23 25 25

ORO- 16 25 23 14

Central Washington 2B

North standings

Okanogan 9-0 9-0

Brewster 8-1 8-2

Bridgeport 5-4 6-4

Liberty Bell 5-4 6-5

Manson 4-5 4-6

Lake Roosevelt 3-6 4-6

Tonasket 2-7 2-7

Oroville 0-9 0-9