Lady Broncos fall on the road
Elly Schoolfield and the Lady Broncos won their first set Tuesday on the road.
It wasn't a victory Tuesday on the road, but Boyd took a step in the right direction.
One night after struggling to find its footing in a season-opening loss to Franklin Road Christian, the young Lady Broncos showed some progress at Lancaster Christian. Boyd picked up its first set victory of the season before ultimately falling 3-1 to the Lady Knights, 25-12, 13-25, 25-9 and 25-17.
For first-year coach Emily Davis, the milestone was worth celebrating.
"We're coming home with our first set victory," said Davis. “They played awesome tonight. They came out with energy and just had fun. I think that’s what we have been lacking - just having fun.
“Now we just have to bring that energy home with us for Riverside.”
After dropping the opening set, Boyd put together its best stretch of volleyball through the first two nights of the season in the second. The Lady Broncos flipped the script on Lancaster, rolling to a 25-13 victory to even the match.
Serving helped Boyd find some momentum. Sophomore Madi Noll finished with four aces, while Brit Ralph and Kariana Ferrell added two apiece and Riley Turner had one.
The Lady Broncos also showed some encouraging signs at the net. Freshman Aliyah Searight led Boyd with three blocks, while Elly Schoolfield and Ralph recorded two each and Noll added one.
Schoolfield also led the Lady Broncos offensively with two kills, followed by Ralph, Noll and Turner with one each.
Ally "Sassy" Shay, the team’s libero, finished with two digs to lead the back row.
Lancaster regained control after Boyd's second-set surge, winning the third with ease, but the Lady Broncos responded with a much more competitive fourth. Boyd stayed within striking distance before Lancaster eventually closed out the match.
The loss dropped Boyd to 0-2, but after Davis spent Monday night stressing the need for her team to get out of its own head, improve its serve receive and learn to move on from mistakes, Tuesday provided a sign of progress.
Boyd will get another opportunity quickly when the Lady Broncos return to J.K. Stanley Gymnasium Thursday to face Riverside Christian at 6 p.m.
The Boyd Middle School team will kick off action at 5 p.m., also hoping to pick up its first win after a tough two-set loss Monday against Franklin Road Christian.
