Hopping for the Victory

After a tough loss to the Lakewood Lancers on September 23, the Lady Jackrabbits brought it back on September 30, 2014 at Milikan High School.

The Poly Jackrabbits set it off with a quick start in the first set with the score of 25-14. The second set was an easy going for the Lady Jackrabbits when they scored 25-10 against the Rams. Millikan pushed to come back, but by the end of the third set, Poly’s well known outside hitters Leafa Yandall and Fiapaipai Iosia kept the team up to finish the game off with a score of 25-21.

On Thursday October 2, the jackrabbits faced the Wilson Bruins, in one of their longest games yet. With knowledge of Milan Stokes, a highly valuable junior player for Wilson, Poly was able to push through the Bruin’s menacing defense. Even with Stokes on the court with 22 kills, Poly proved to be the better team in an overall 25-16, 31-29, 25-22 sweep. Poly’s outside hitter Yandall and Cassandra Lew had 11 kills, middle blocker Erin Williams had 8 kills and 4 blocks. Outside hitter Jayleen Lehenbauer chipped in 8 kills in her first varsity start.

“I really like the multi-faceted approach on our offense,” said Lew after her first 2 kills during the first set.

The heat and crowd were intense. The second set went on and on, and ended at 31 for the Jackrabbits and 29 for Wilson. Poly could have finished the game off in the third set at 25-19, but with a tired defense couldn’t quite pass the ball being served over. Their lack of communication and their of focus gave Wilson a chance to come up. But with the final pass from Pai Iosia, a set from setter Jessica Doukenick and the tip from Sammy-Jo Ah-Hong, the team finally woke up to the finish.

“Spreading the offense out, is turning into our strength,” commented Coach Leland McGrath.

The Jackrabbits and the Bruins are now tied for second place in the Moore League with one win and one loss each. However, the Bruins have yet to face the undefeated Lakewood Lancers. Poly will play Jordan on October 8, while the Bruins will play Lakewood at 4 pm on October 7.