Grace Christian Raleigh rolls past St. David’s volleyball
A balanced Grace Christian School swept the visiting St. David’s School on Thursday night.
The Warriors’ pair of early leads was no sweat for the hosts, who won 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-17).
“I’m proud of everybody,” Grace Christian freshman outside hitter Megan Boutwell said. “We have a great team and I think we can go pretty far this year.”
A Grace Christian ball-handling error gave St. David’s the first point of the conference match, and later down the line, a Morgan Peterson kill forced an 8-8 tie.
Peterson led the game with five kills and three blocks for St. David’s.
Boutwel, Leah April and Kristen Level each had four kills for the one-loss Eagles (15-1, 6-0).
With a 21-12 first-set lead in Grace Christian’s favor, the Warriors didn’t falter. They scored seven points before the Eagles put it away.
Grace Christian blew open the game in the second set, springing to a 5-2 lead. It ran an efficient offense to handily pull away from the visitors, taking the force into the final set and, the Eagles are hoping, the last two regular-season games.
“We’re trying to get ready for the state tournament,” Eagles coach Russ Wolfinger said. “We know we’re going to face some tough competition there.”
Turning point
Grace Christian’s 5-2 lead in Set 2. Reece Goodman placed a pass in the front row, Hope Lapsley set it up and Brooke Hanshumaker put it away. The play was smooth and quick.
“Every week, we add something a little new,” Wolfinger said. “We’ve been wokring on a little quick offense and a couple of play sets where you can run a second girl in from behind. We pulled it off a couple times tonight.
“That’s progress for us.”
Three who mattered
Megan Boutwell, Grace Christian: Only a freshman, she played to the balanced theme of the team. She collected a match-high 12 digs, but swung for four kills and sent over three aces.
Hope Lapsley, Grace Christian: The setter had 16 assists and five digs. She also added a solo block to fend off any Warriors hope.
Morgan Peterson, St. David’s: She has a strong presence at the net.
“Morgan has been tremendous the entire season,” Warriors coach Romel Lightbourn said. “She has really stepped up this season. I’m very proud of her. She blocks for us, she attacks for us, she serves for us. All around, she’s a great player.”
They said it
Boutwell on her motivation to play hard for Grace Christian: “Volleyball’s my sport. I love it. I think in any game situation, you should give it your all. If you’re going to be here, then you need to use your gifts and go for it.”
By the numbers
3: Consecutive Hanshumaker digs during a volley in the second set
6: Team-high assists from St. David’s Megan Klinck
5-0: Run Eagles went on mid-first set to have a strong opening
4: Match-leading aces from Grace Christian’s Madie Zechman
2: Points the Warriors came within early in the last set
This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 9:52 PM with the headline "Grace Christian Raleigh rolls past St. David’s volleyball."