Cards control the Larks

LeRoy/Ostander sweeps Grand Meadow volleyball team

By Rocky Hulne (Contact) | Austin Daily Herald

Originally published 10:24 p.m., October 14, 2008
Updated 10:24 p.m., October 14, 2008

The LeRoy/Ostrander volleyball team put a big exclamation point on its season with a sweep in Grand Meadow by scores of 25-16, 25-21, 25-18 Tuesday.

The Cardinals (18-6-1 overall, 8-2 SEC) never trailed in the first two games and they broke open the third game halfway through when Kylie Grant served five straight points to put L/O up 20-12 in the clincher.

The Superlarks (16-9-2 overall, 7-3 SEC) took their first lead of the night in the third game and they led 11-8 before L/O rallied.

“We wanted it pretty bad,” L/O middle hitter Kaylee Bunne said. “We’re feeling good. We’re getting along better as a team now (than the last time we played them).”

The 5-foot-8-inch Bunne took control on the front line for the Cardinals as she came up with 11 kills and five blocks — including two momentum turning block kills on GM’s Jessica Benson to make it 17-13 in the second game after GM had tied the game at 13 apiece on an ace by Kristine Gerber.

“She’s a machine,” L/O setter Mac Bunne said of Kaylee Bunne.

Blocking the net was a key aspect of the match for L/O as the Superlarks won in LeRoy earlier this season with some big hitting from Benson and Abbie Fay.

“Yesterday in practice we practiced blocking a lot to prepare for Benson and Fay,” Kaylee Bunne said. “We knew they were real good hitters and we’d all have to block.”

Mac Bunne led a strong passing game with 33 assists, but she also provided some direct attacks. The junior setter made a tip kill to put L/O up 23-21 in the second game. Mary Scaglione served the last two points, including an ace, to close it out.

“When the ball is tight and their defense is spread I try to (work in a tip),” Mac Bunne said.

Kaylee Bunne said Mac Bunne’s tips are big help to the Cards offensive attack.

“She’s wicked awesome,” she said.

The Superlarks had a tough time getting started on their home floor as they fell behind 6-1 in the first two games.

“LeRoy has played a lot of big matches this season,” GM head coach Michael Keefe said. “That’s where they had an advantage over us. We’ve played a couple of big matches and come out tight and that was the case tonight. They really played loose and played their style and we really faltered on some of the aspects of the game.”

Toni Blood had 10 kills for L/O and Rachel Rosedahl had eight kills.

Kristine Gerber had 13 assists for GM.

The match was the last regular season contest for both teams and the Cardinals will play at Mabel/Canton (30-2-1 overall, 10-0 SEC) for the SEC crown Thursday at 7 p.m.