WARDEN – The Warden Cougars volleyball team fell 0-3 to the La Salle Lighting in their first home game of the season Wednesday evening putting their record at 0-2. 

“I think we played really well,” said Cougar’s player Ella Chamberlain. “It was the first home game, so I think everyone was pretty jittery.” 

In the first set, the Lightning started out ahead and maintained their lead throughout. While the Cougars maintained a steady pace in the first half of the set, the Lightning ultimately pulled ahead to win 25-16. 

The Cougars found more rhythm in the second set, pulling out ahead first and earning a 13-10 lead in the first half of the set. In the second half of the set, the Cougars and Lightning traded off the lead multiple times before the Lightning eventually claimed the lead for a 25-20 victory. 

The Lightning had momentum going into the third set and the Cougars were unable to respond leading to the Cougars losing that set 25-12 and ultimately losing the game 3-0. 

“Overall, we still need to grow and keep practicing, but we’re good,” said Cougars’ player Amaya Erickson. 

Erickson said she was proud of her and the team’s effort in working hard and pushing back against the Lightning after losing the first game. 

Both Erickson and Chamberlain agreed that the team would benefit from working on their communication skills on the court moving into their next game. Throughout all three games there were instances where the ball would come down and there would either be multiple players on it, or everyone would hesitate on someone else to get it. 

“I think if we all communicate better, it’ll run a lot more smooth,” said Chamberlain. 

The Cougars’ head coach Katie Roylance said while the game had highs and lows, she is, overall, seeing major improvements in the younger players and the team overall.  

“They weren’t able to pull out the win, but they fought and there’s definitely improvement happening,” said Roylance.  

She said the Cougars did a great job in the first two sets blocking and passing, and were ready to compete. The team struggled more with finishing plays and taking advantage of opportunities. 

Throughout all three sets the Lightning scored multiple points tipping the ball over the net and began covering tips toward the end of the game which is something the coach said she would like to have the Cougars work on covering in the next few practices. She said the team didn’t get rotation in the middle like she wanted to see and will also be focused on at practice. 

“We need to fine-tune things and just keep the basics building and going strong,” said Roylance. 

One thing that she said made her proud throughout the game was the Cougars players’ ability to stay positive and keep their energy up even when they fell behind.  

“They work hard, and you need to enjoy the game while you’re playing it, so I love seeing the girls enjoy what they’re doing,” said Roylance. 

The Cougars’ next game will be at home tomorrow at 2 p.m. against Tonasket. 

BOX SCORE: 

WRDN: 16-20-12: 0
LASL: 25-25-25: 3 

Cougars Roster: 

Name, Jersey
Ella Chamberlain, 5
Brooklyn Clark, 8
Kaleigh Secrist, 11
Jayde Hymas, 12
Miranda Martinez, 14
Hannah Roylance, 15
Lindsey Grubb, 16
Jamylex Pruneda, 18
Piper Cox, 20
Amaya Erickson, 21
Brittney Cole, 22
Sara Lino, 23 

    Emma Chamberlain, a junior with the Cougars, dives down for a save during Wednesday’s game against La Salle. Chamberlain said the team had still had some early season jitters coming into their first home game.
  

    The Cougars’ junior player, Hannah Roylance, leaps into the air to send the ball back to the opponent. The Cougars’ players after the game said the team needs to work on communicating with each other on the court as they prepare for their next game.
  

    Cougars’ senior Miranda Martinez (14) gets ready to make a strong hit back to La Salle while her teammate Lindsey Grubb (16) keeps her eye on the play. Head coach Katie Roylance said the team just needs to fine-tune things in the coming days as they prepare for their next opponent.