Cougars lose to Western Boone

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

THORNTOWN -- The North Putnam girls' volleyball team finished second in its Early Bird tournament on Saturday, but was unable to carry that momentum into Monday, as it lost to Western Boone in three games, 25-11, 25-16 and 25-14.

"The girls did not come to play volleyball tonight," said Cougar coach Jill Schreiber. "It seems we lost all our momentum from the weekend."

The coach said her team suffered from a lack of communication, coverage and effort.

"We are going to have bad games, but it's hard to take after a weekend like we played," Schreiber said.

Taylor Alles led the Cougars with three kills and two stuff blocks.

"Taylor's senior leadership was helpful on the court tonight," Schreiber said. "She made some blocks."

Megan Gray had seven assists for the Cougars. Logan Doyle led the way with five digs and one ace.

"Logan was able to make some good digs. Logan's always positive and helps lead the team," the coach said.

The Cougars also suffered from being short on personnel on Monday.

"We were missing Casey Preecs due to illness," Schreiber said. "It makes a difference. You get used to playing next to someone and the way they play."

It was a different story for the Cougars on Saturday, though, as they hosted the Early Bird Tournament. They defeated Attica in two games to open the tournament before falling to Class 4A Mooresville in three games in the championship match.

In the Attica contest, Schreiber said her team was ready to play and win.

"We knew we could win, and we played as a team and finished Attica in two," she said. "My senior leadership is really stepping up and leading the team."

Alles and Carlye McGaughey each had three kills in the contest. Megan Gray led the way with eight assists, while Doyle had three aces and six digs.

With several players who lack varsity experience entering the season, the coach is pleased with the progress they are making.

"The girls are looking better and better each game we play," Schreiber said. "Our back row is learning the coverage areas and getting there. Paxton Stephenson and Shannon Brock are doing a great job as back-row players.

"Megan Robinson is young and playing a big position in the front row," she continued. "She is learning the middle front position and doing well. She is making blocks and learning the position.

"Casey is stepping up this year with some great hits in the front." Schreiber said. "It does not matter where the set is, as long as it's close to the nest, she can hit the ball."

In the end, though, the coach is happy with all of her players.

"I cannot say enough about how hard these eight ladies work in practice and the games," Schreiber said. "It makes it so much easier to coach with a group of girls like I have."

In the championship match against Mooresville, the squad showed a gutsy effort, taking Mooresville to a decisive third game. After a rough opening game, they won the second, but were unable to sustain the momentum.

"In the first game, we struggled with their hitting and our coverage. The girls adjusted in the second game and started and ended strong," the coach commented. "We had great momentum in the second game. We need to learn to carry over the momentum to the third game to finish the match."

McGaughey led the Cougars in hitting in the match with six kills.

Gray set up her hitters with 12 assists and also had three aces.

"Megan is our only setter on the floor and she is doing a great job of getting to know where the hitters like their sets," Schreiber said. "She has come a long way in just he last couple days in practice."

Stephenson led the way with six digs. Taylor Alles once again led with two stuffs.

Still only a couple of weeks into her time as Cougar coach, Schreiber thinks her girls have made great strides.

"I ma very proud of the accomplishment the girls are making and the hard work they put forth," she said.

North Putnam hosts Tri-West at 6 p.m. today.

At Western Boone

North Putnam 11 16 14

Western Boone 25 25 25

Kills -- Alles 3, Doyle 2, Stephenson 2, Brock 1.

Assists -- Gray 7, Doyle 1, Robinson 1.

Blocks -- Alles 1, Doyle 1.

Aces -- Doyle 1.

Digs -- Doyle 5, Alles 3, McGaughey 2.

At North Putnam

Early Bird Tournament

First Round

North Putnam 2, Attica 0

Kills -- Alles 3, McGaughey 3, Doyle 1, Gray 1, Robinson 1.

Assists -- Gray 8, Robinson 2, Brock 1.

Aces -- Doyle 3, McGaughey 2, Preecs 2, Alles 1, Gray 1.

Blocks -- Alles 1.

Digs -- Doyle 6, Brock 3, Alles 2, Gray 2, McGaughey 2, Preecs 2.

Championship Match

Mooresville 2, North Putnam 1

Kills -- McGaughey 6, Alles 4, Doyle 4, Robinson 1.

Assists -- Gray 12, McGaughey 1.

Aces -- Gray 3, Alles 1.

Blocks -- Alles 1, Preecs 1.

Digs -- Stephenson 6, Doyle 5, Alles 3, Robinson 3, Preecs 2, McGaughey 2, Gray 1, Brock 1.

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