La Conner netters tree-mendous against Lady Loggers

Darrington was sharp in the early going, but league leading La Conner proved a cut above the Lady Loggers during key NW2B net action last week.

The Lady Braves, who remained unbeaten in conference play, edged Darrington 25-17, 25-9, 25-15, a straight-sets triumph that was tougher than the match score indicates, according to La Conner head coach Suzanne Marble.

“We had a slow start,” she noted afterward, “and Darrington was playing the best I have seen this year. They didn’t let much drop in the first set.”

The Lady Braves eventually pulled away, in great measure due to their depth and balance.

Nor did it hurt that La Conner served at a 97 percent clip with 10 aces.

“It was a great night for us at the line,” stressed Marble.

Several players filled the stat sheet for the Lady Braves.

Lindsay Lowry delivered nine kills while going 14-of-14 from the service stripe.

Ashley Watkins and Aubrey Swigert recorded four kills apiece, and like Lowry, both were perfect at the line. Swigert was flawless on 19 serves. Watkins placed all 11 of hers.

Sage Burgmeier went 14-for-14 serving with two aces, while notching 10 digs.

Justine Benson ignited the La Conner attack with 17 assists.

“It was a good challenge for us,” Marble said of the Darrington match, “but we need to come out playing stronger defense and put the ball away early to help set the tone.”

Which is basically what happened when La Conner met a young Shoreline Christian team later in the week.

The Lady Braves breezed to a 25-9, 25-9, 25-5 league win.

Service efficiency was again a mainstay, said Marble. La Conner placed 95 percent of its serves against the Lady Chargers.

Watkins paced the winners with a flawless effort. She was 10-of-10 serving, 13-for-13 with digs, and five-of-five on serve receive. All that, plus eight kills, matching Swigert for team honors in that category.

“Ashley was real solid for us,” Marble said.

Swigert also had 10 digs, just two off the pace set by Burgmeier.

Justine Benson provided 16 assists, five kills and seven aces, while Joanie Benson went 21-of-21 serving with three kills to go along with nine aces.

The Lady Braves resumed NW2B play at Orcas late Tuesday.

La Conner, 8-0 in league and 9-1 overall entering the week, hosts Mount Vernon Christian tomorrow, Thursday, as part of its annual Senior Night “Dig Pink Night” festivities.

The Lady Braves hit the road for a big multi-classification tournament in Wenatchee on Saturday.