Athletics survive a five-game battle with Houston

Published 10:24 pm Tuesday, August 29, 2017

The Lyle-Pacelli volleyball team ran through the gamut of emotions and it finished with an energized charge as it edged out Houston in five games by scores of 25-9, 23-25, 25-16, 20-25, 15-6 in Pacelli Gym Tuesday.

LP (1-0 overall, 1-0 SEC) was leading the deciding fifth game 6-2 when Olivia Christianson stepped up to the service line and delivered five straight aces to put the game out of reach. Christianson utilized an effective jump serve to finish with 16 aces in the win and she also added 12 digs and nine kills.

Lyle-Pacelli’s Olivia Christianson spikes in game one against Houston at Pacelli Tuesday night. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

“A lot of work has gone into that serve,” Christianson said. “I was nervous because I’ve been struggling with it in practice lately. It came down to muscle memory and I’ve never seen it that energized in our gym.”

Email newsletter signup

LP dominated the first game, but the Hurricanes (0-3 overall, 0-3 SEC) stuck around for the next three games. LP head coach Tammy Truckenmiller was glad her team was able to close it out strong in the fifth game.

Lyle-Pacelli’s Faith King receives a serve during game one against Houston at Pacelli Tuesday night. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

“I was super proud of the way we kept battling,” Truckenmiller said. “It’s takes a lot to get going in the first match. Olivia’s jump serve was unstoppable.”

LP stats: Abby Bollingberg, 2 ace serves, 4 kills, 12 set assists, 7 digs; Faith King, 3 ace serves, 1 kill, 2 blocks, 14 digs; Olivia Christianson, 16 ace serves, 9 kills, 2 blocks, 12 digs; Vanessa Cotter, 2 digs, kills; Brooke Walter, 7 kills, 11 set assists, 7 digs; Grace Einck, 6 kills; Kendal Truckenmiller, 5 digs

Lyle-Pacelli’s Brooke Walter hits againnst Houston in game one Tuesday night at Pacelli. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com