North Putnam falls in three games

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

ROACHDALE -- Frustration.

That word would best describe North Putnam volleyball coach Jill Schreiber's state of mind on Tuesday, as her Cougars fell to Covenant Christian in three games.

The youthful Cougars (3-7, 0-1 WCC) played the Warriors close in game one, losing 25-21. After that, things went progressively downhill against the older and more polished Warriors, as North lost 25-14 in game two and 25-0 in game three.

North Putnam's Megan Robinson sends a spike over the net in game one on Tuesday. The Cougars fell to the Warriors in three games.

"The first game we played really well to prove to them, 'Yeah, we can play with you,' and after that we didn't play with any heart or desire," Schreiber said. "We are a good team and we have talent, we just do not use it all the time.

Game one started out with lots of side outs, as neither team could hold serve.

With her team trailing 5-4, Carlye McGaughey served three straight points to put the Cougars up by two.

From there, North clung to a one- or two-point lead until the Warriors tied it at 11. After taking the lead, Covenant held it until the end, ultimately winning 25-22 on a side out.

In game two, the Warriors raced out to an 8-2 lead and never looked back. The Cougars struggled with the hitting of the Warriors and seemed disorganized.

"They had a lot of quick sets, quick hits, and our front row wasn't quick enough to get over. Our middle person wasn't quick enough to get over to that left front and right front position to get a block," Schreiber said. "The big girl in the middle (Kim Smith) was a really good hitter. She really doesn't move her feet and we just couldn't figure it out."

Game three was dominated by the service of one Warrior. With her team leading 8-5, sophomore Kata Bawel served for 12 straight points, putting the Warriors up 20-5. They closed out the match at 25-9.

"We're going to get better. Sometimes I don't know what team's going to show up. It might be the really good team; it might be the really bad team."

Besides youth, the Cougars also struggle with numbers, as they only have seven regular varsity players.

"With seven kids, it's really hard to do certain drills. We can't scrimmage against anybody because there's not a whole bunch of kids. We get to do three-on-three drills, but not really that six playing with each other," Schreiber said.

Taylor Alles led the Cougars with nine points. Megan Gray had 12 assists. Casey Preecs and McGaughey each had four points.

In the face of a tough losses, the coach made it clear that the team will need to get better if it wants to continue to improve.

"I am disappointed with their efforts tonight. We did not play with any hear or want to win. These girls are better than that," Schreiber concluded.

The Cougar JV lost to the Warriors 25-18, 25,23. However, the coach was happy with the improvement she saw from the junior squad.

"They are playing very well and improving," Schreiber said. "They are doing very well."

The Cougars travel to Rockville at 5 p.m. Thursday.

At North Putnam

Covenant Christian25 25 25
North Putnam21 14 9

Points -- Preecs 4, McGaughey 4, Doyle 3, Alles 2, Brock 2, Gray 2, Robinson 1 (NP), Bawel 17, Pheifer 9, Lewis 7, Everett 7, Smith 6, Stamper 1 (CC).

Aces -- Alles 1, Gray 1, Robinson 1 (NP), Lewis 3, Everett 2, Bawel 2, Smith 2, Pheifer 2 (CC).

Kills -- Alles 9, Preecs 2, Doyle 1, Robinson 1, McGaughey 1 (NP), Smith 12, Owen 5, Everett 3, Stamper 3, Bawel 2, Jones 2, Pheifer 1 (CC).

Assists -- Gray 12, Doyle 1, McGaughey 1 (NP), Pheifer 19, Stamper 3, Watkins 1 (CC).

Digs -- Doyle 13, Alles 9, McGaughey 6, Brock 4, Robinson 3, Gray 2, Preecs 1, Hamilton 1 (NP).

Blocks -- Alles 4, Doyle 2, Robinson 2 (NP).

JV Results

Covenant Christian25 25
North Putnam18 23

Next game -- North Putnam (3-7. 0-1 WCC) visits Rockville at 6 p.m. Thursday.

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