By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – When in doubt, throw it high and let it fly. Bedford North Lawrence’s big hitters were the hammers while nailing down a victory on Thursday night.
With Camryn Anderson and Sammie Gratzer doing most of the punishing work at the net, the Stars pounded out a three-set sweep of Shoals. Key surges highlighted each set as BNL cracked the Jug Rox 25-16, 25-22, 25-23.
The Gratzer-Anderson combination combined for 33 kills, and they were clutch in crucial moments. BNL (6-10) trailed late in the last two sets before rallying, and each comeback had their fingerprints on the ball.
“The game plan was, when we need the point, we get the ball high and tight, let them crush it down,” BNL coach Whitney Carroll said. “We played with heart. There wasn’t that moment where we got down on ourselves, or our shoulders shrugged. We stayed even keel and when we needed to do the job, we did it well.”
The Jug Rox (4-9) were as anchored as that usual mascot. They battled to an 11-11 deadlock before the Stars pulled away in the first set, and they roared to an 18-11 advantage in the second. BNL responded with a great run, taking a 21-20 lead. Anderson closed out that set with two kills (plus a pinpoint Trinidy Bailey push kill) and the set clincher.
In the third set, BNL trailed 12-10 before another burst changed momentum. Isabelle Harding knocked down a block at the net, Gratzer smacked back-to-back kills, and Harding delivered a service ace for a 20-17 lead. Then Gratzer authored the decisive shots – a block, a spike to the open floor, a kill off a block, and the final blast off blockers at the net to finish it.
Gratzer totaled 17 kills and 4 blocks, while Anderson totaled 16 kills. That’s a deadly duo.
“We talk a lot,” Anderson said. “When I’m on back row, I’m calling her shots. We’re a really good team. I feel I need to take the leadership role, step up and make sure everyone understands. We all have to do our jobs.”
Kendlyn Alvey had 26 defensive digs while Anderson and Bailey added 19 each. Bailey dished out 43 assists.
“This was good for us,” Carroll said. “It’s been an up-and-down week.”
Sarah Alright paced Shoals with 12 kills, Peyton Sutton totaled 19 digs, and Lillie Bauer added 13 digs.
The Stars will compete in a tournament at Borden on Saturday, facing Charlestown, North Harrison and Class A No.9 Borden starting at 10 a.m.
