Canyon Lake Volleyball Breaks Even
The Hawks started their new year with a split in a three team round robin last Tuesday night at the Canyon Lake gymnasium.
Both games were five game sets that left the exhaustive fans feeling good about this team.
Canyon Lake beat Liberty Hill in the first match: 23-25, 17-25, 25-15, 27-25, 15-5.
The first two games would be games that Coach Nicole Creek could use for instructing future team how not to play.
“First game jitters,” Head Coach Creek said. “We had great serving and clutch hitting to end this game.”
The second game of the set, had only three points scored that was not a result of Liberty Hill losing the serve. The hole dug by the Hawks was too deep to see any light to climb out of.
Canyon Lake had their first lead starting the third game going ahead 1-0. Marisa Ellis was the server when CL actually had a rally of five points that gave the Hawks a six point lead of 14-8.
Katy Williams was active with several kills during this game while Amber Ramsey was also waking up from her slumber to get several kills and blocks.
“Amber took charge in games three, four, and five,” Coach Creek continued. “She kept getting blocked in the first games and she and the team stepped up their communication and just wanted it more.”
Liberty Hill had a match point in the fourth game being up 21-24 and ready to send the Hawks to their lockers. But a devastating block by Junior Danielle Stansberry allowed Canyon Lake to stage a remarkable comeback.
The Panthers were deflated after that point leaving the Hawks with a three point rally which was the longest in the game and it could not of come at a better time.
Canyon Lake took no prisoners in the fifth game of the match as they overpowered the Panthers with a seven point rally from the serves of Freshman Halley McKnight.
“We started off strong in game five,” Creek finished. “The team has taken a ‘every game is a playoff’ stand this year.”
During this stanza, Ramsey had four kills as she controlled the net and finished with great game to start the year with.
“I finally settled down, because I can get really angry,” Ramsey said. “Coach had me opening my hands and told me to quit pressing. Making the big blocks just takes me watching the ball.”
Schertz Clemens white washed Liberty Hill in the next match 3-0, setting up
another five game match in the nightcap.Clemens Buffaloes won 25-19, 16-25, 25-21, 19-25, and 14-16.
Senior Marisa Ellis was the player that made her presence known in this match. Ellis only takes a break when there is a timeout. She is that valuable to this team.
One play was Ellis putting her hand flat on the floor for a beautiful dig that led to the rally that put the Hawks in control winning the third game. Our unofficial stats had Ellis with 11 kills in this match with two blocks.
Canyon Lake was up 9-5 in the final game that culminates with the first team to reach 15 points. The game was just not meant to be as Clemens rallied to win the last three points to clinch the match.
The game looked like the first game of the season for the Hawks, but there were times this team was clicking and controlled the game.