Braves battle, fall to Patriots in 5
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GLADSTONE -- The Gladstone Braves went the distance but came up short in a 3-2 (25-20, 15-25, 26-24, 17-25, 8-15) volleyball loss to the Westwood Patriots here Tuesday night.
Gladstone was within 11-8 in the fifth set, then was foiled by a trio of hitting errors and a defensive miscue, enabling the Patriots to earn their first victory this season.
"We kind of lacked communication, and our energy died down," said Braves coach Averi Kanyuh. "They (Westwood) did a lot of tipping and got some freeball shots. Our girls definitely worked hard. They just couldn't pull ahead."
The Braves tied the finale at six before the Patriots took advantage of three miscues and cross-court kill by senior Nautica Briggs for a 10-6 lead in this Mid-Peninsula Conference match.
"This match was very, very close," said first-year Westwood coach Tamara Johnson. "I'm so proud of the girls for sticking it out. It's a relief to come in here and get our first win."
Gladstone took a 5-4 lead on a service ace by senior Kenzingtin Pepin in the fourth set.
Westwood then got a sideout on a serving miscue and junior Tara Alderton served for five points, giving the Patriots a 10-5 cushion.
"We've struggled with serving most of this year," said Johnson. "This was absolutely one of our better serving nights."
The Patriots led 17-9 after a Braves' hitting error.
Gladstone responded with five unanswered points, trimming its deficit to 17-14 on a kill by junior Jenna Potes.
The Braves were still within 19-15 before a kill by junior Madison Marta gave the Patriots a sideout and five-point lead.
Westwood went on to clinch that set on a kill by Megan Marta.
In the third set, the Braves were trailing 11-5 following an ace by Madison Marta.
Gladstone then got a sideout, and junior Maci Menard followed with a seven-point run, helping the Braves gain a 13-11 lead.
The rest of the third remained close before the Braves pulled that one out.
Kanyuh said she was pleased with the performances by sophomore Rylee Gerow and Angsten.
"They did a good job stepping up in positions we needed them to play," she added. "We were missing a few girls who came into contact with somebody who had COVID."
The Braves, who won the jayvee match in two sets, travel to Gwinn Thursday. The Patriots visit Manistique Thursday.