Lady Mustangs hold on for victory over Swain

"It was a good road win," Coach Cindi Simmons said. "After we allowed Swain to come back in two, we kept our focus and quickly regained momentum."

The Lady Mustangs (9-2) took a 4-0 lead in game one after three points, including an ace, from Melissa Collins. They made it 9-1 as Kaitlin Ritchie served three points and Lindsey Lewis had a kill. Swain cut the gap to 11-7 before Tara Green served three points, including an ace, for a 14-7 advantage. The game ended on Ritchie's kill with Collins serving.

Collins served the first five points, including two aces, in the second game with Ritchie recording a kill. Cassie Proffitt's three points, including an ace, pushed the lead to 8-0. The Lady Devils came storming back with a 12-1 run to take a 12-9 lead. Three points from Collins and Katie Loughlin's kill tied it 12-12. Ritchie served two points and Green had a kill, but SM missed a shot at game point. Swain serve the next four points to even the match.

Three points from Abbey Higgins put the Lady Mustangs up 3-2 in game three. Proffitt had five points, including an ace, and Green put down a kill extending the lead to 9-3. The margin was 13-3 after four points from Ritchie and Green's kill. SM failed to score on seven straight serves allowing Swain to cut the gap to 13-8. Lewis served the clinching point.

Ritchie's five points and Green's kill staked the Lady Mustangs to an 8-2 lead in the fourth game. Swain closed within 8-5, but SM ran off the next six points to regain control. Green had five of those points, including two aces, building the lead to 14-5. The match ended on Ritchie's kill with Lewis serving.

Ritchie led in kills with 15 with Green close behind at 13. Collins recorded 25 assists, and Higgins had 12.

Ritchie was tops in service points with 14 followed by Collins with 13 and Proffitt with 12. Ritchie served 95.7 percent with Proffitt at 94.7, Green at 94.1, Higgins at 93.8 and Lewis at 90.0. Loughlin got both her serves in, and Amber Stephens was one for one. Team serving was 91.7 percent.

The Lady Mustang JVs fell to 5-6 with a 15-7, 13-15, 15-11 loss.

"We played with more intensity than we have played with before," Coach Nikki Young said. "Everyone played well."

Back to Sports: 09/14/00.