On Tuesday, Italy’s JV girls volleyball team, head coached by Tina Richards, took care of business against the Kerens JV squad in a best 2-out of-3. Paige Westbrook led the charge for the JV Lady Gladiators in the first set as Italy battled back to tie the contest, 20-20, after trailing from the beginning.
Riding the wave of momentum, the Italy JV girls pulled out the first set win, 25-23.

In the second set, Italy started out with the early advantage, 3-1. Kerens jumped in front 5-3 but it was all Italy after that point. A serve, by Paola Mata, skimmed the top of the net and dropped over to give Italy’s JV an 8-5 lead. Moments later, beck-to-back aces by server, Kortnei Johnson, gave Richards’ glad gals a 20-14 cushion. As the action continued, Mata recorded another ace to give Italy a 23-16 margin and a chance to take the game. A return, by Mata, found the far corner to make the score 24-17. On the next play, Kerens’ return sailed out giving Italy’s JV girls the 25-17 set win and the 2-0 match win.

Italy’s varsity squad never trailed in their first set against Kerens. Italy’s Kaitlyn Rossa and Jimesha Reed dominated the opening set with help from Megan Richards and their freshmen teammates, setter Bailey Eubank and hitter Madison Washington. The Lady Gladiators built a quick 3-0 lead and never looked back. Kerens closed the gap after trailing 21-13 by pulling within 1-point of Italy, 21-20. Rossa’s defense at the net, however, made the score 22-20 and then a serve by Rossa forced a Kerens mistake to make the score 23-20.

With the score 24-21, Reed’s net defense forced a violation by Kerens as Italy held on to win the first set, 25-21.

In the second set of the best 3-out of-5 the scoring was much tighter throughout. Hitters, Bailey Bumpus and Alyssa Richards, kept the pressure on the Kerens’ defense while Rossa’s ability as a middle blocker helped Italy stay in front, 13-12. Freshman Jaclynn Lewis then made a diving dig that just cleared the net to put Italy up, 14-12.

Kerens took the lead but an ace serve by Reed and two net blocks by Rossa kept Italy within striking distance as they trailed by just 1-point, 21-20. After the battle tied at 21 all, a tap over the net by Rossa pushed Italy back in the lead, 22-21. A cross-court return by Kerens sailed out and Italy went up, 23-21. Leading 24-21, Italy’s Washington served the set winner and the Lady Gladiators led the match 2-0, needing just one more victory to seal the deal.

Kerens responded, however, and won the next three sets, 25-21, 25-19 and 15-9 in an impressive comeback by the Lady Bobcats to win the game, 3-2, over Italy.

Although it was not the outcome Lady Gladiator head coach, Heather Richters, was hoping for, one thing is for sure. The 2011-2012 Lady Gladiators are the real deal. The level of volleyball skills displayed by Italy’s ladies was in a word, outstanding. This is one band wagon you want to climb on. The Lady Gladiators are set to have a great volleyball season.

The Lady Gladiators will take on the Frost Lady Polar Bears tonight, August 16th, in the Dome.  Game time is 5:00 beginning with a JV matchup followed by varsity.

Go Lady Gladiators!