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Cloverdale powers past North Putnam
CLOVERDALE -- The volleyball teams from Cloverdale and North Putnam battled in their annual Breast Cancer Awareness match Thursday, with the Clovers coming away with a convincing three set victory.
Cloverdale won the match 25-16, 25-11 and 25-7. The two teams faced off in the final of the Putnam County Tournament a couple weeks ago in a hard-fought contest. However, Thursday North Putnam never seemed comfortable in the match, which allowed the Clovers to cruise to the win.
"North Putnam played us so tough in that county tournament," CHS head coach Kathy Moore said. "We spent all week trying to prepare for tonight because we knew it could really be a really, really tough match. I think they were off tonight. They had trouble passing. You know, every team has those nights and unfortunately it was their night tonight.
"That being said, I want to give my team a lot of credit for passing the ball very well tonight."
North Putnam head coach Jill Screiber acknowledged her team didn't perform up to its potential.
"Tonight just wasn't a good night," she said. "We still have some goals and we can still achieve them so we are going to take this loss and learn from it and look ahead to our goals we've set."
Cloverdale's powerful net presence displayed its strength early and often building a big lead in the first set. Cloverdale went up 18-10, and after a small rally from the Cougars; they scored the sets final three points to come away with a 25-16 win.
While the Clovers were firing on all cylinders, North Putnam was off balance and continued to struggle in the second set. They allowed the Clovers to build a 20-7 advantage and ultimately go on to win 25-11.
The issues that plagued North Putnam in the opening two sets such as a lack of communication and not being able to find a groove were magnified in the third and deciding set.
In the third set, North Putnam went up 1-0, but that would be the only lead it would hold in the set. Cloverdale scored eight straight points early to take a 10-3 lead.
With the score 18-7, Cloverdale went on a seven point run to close the set and win the match 25-7.
Bradanne Toney led the Clovers with 18 kills, four aces and four blocks, with Taylor Jones adding eight kills and six digs. Adri Patterson chipped in seven kills and one dig in the win.
Moore said her team has many dimensions to it and a few of the most powerful are its bench and the support from its fans.
"All the enthusiasm from our bench really makes a difference too. Everybody's a big part -- everybody has their place on the team and their role to play. We've having a very nice year," Moore said.
Moore noted having the choir and band present Thursday was in her words "awesome." She said seeing the stands full of fans was terrific.
Thursday's match was more than just a simple volleyball match. Both fan bases donned pink T-shirts in honor or raising awareness for Breast Cancer. Moore commended her counterpart North Putnam head coach Jill Schreiber for her efforts in helping bring awareness to the community.
"Jill (Schreiber) does a good job," Moore said. "The last three years since Jill and I got together and decided to do our annual Breast Cancer Awareness match, we've had great turnouts. She does a fantastic job rallying her school around the cause.
"I have to give the staff and students a lot of thanks for the support we've had this week in trying to raise money for the Breast Cancer Awareness."
Cloverdale will play at the Speedway Invite Saturday at 9 a.m., while North Putnam will host Monrovia next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
At Cloverdale
North Putnam 16 11 7
Cloverdale 25 25 25