Lee Sweeps Mount Greylock at MCLA
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- On a day more suitable to beach volleyball than the indoor game, the Lee Wildcats turned up the heat in the third set and took a 25-18, 25-19, 25-7 win from Mount Greylock at MCLA’s Amsler Center Gymnasium.
Setter Suriana Lee had 19 assists and libero Anna Wang had 21 digs for the Wildcats, who got dominant plan from their front line.
Jayla Speers and Ahna Schlaefer had nine and seven kills, respectively, and Bailey Thomas recorded four aces to help Lee complete a season sweep of the Mounties and stay unbeaten in Berkshire County League play.
It was a three-set decision just like the first time the teams collided back on the first day of the fall season, but this time around, it was Lee who finished strong.
Mount Greylock was able to hang in early thanks to a strong service run by Maddie Albert (five aces, six assists) in the first set.
Albert served seven straight points to give her team an 8-4 lead, but two rotations later, Thomas got the ball with her team tied and served four in a row to give Lee a 13-9 cushion.
Mount Greylock hung around but was never able to get closer than four points the rest of the way.
In the second set, the ‘Cats looked ready to break things open when Schaefer served six in a row to build a 10-8 lead. But coming out of a Mount Greylock timeout, Marley Buffis made a diving play on a ball that she managed to somehow get over the net for a side out. Gabby Alvarez (five assists) then served three in a row to give the Mounties a lead a 12-10.
But a ball-handling error by the Mounties gave the serve to Sarah Cook, who went on a seven-point run to establish an 18-12 Lee Lead that the Wildcats never relinquished.
“I was definitely happy with the way they played in the first and second games,” Mount Greylock coach Meghan Albert said. “They were really trying hard. They were working as a team and going after every ball.
“I think we’ve seen a lot of improvement. We definitely improved coming out strong in the first and second set because the first time against Lee were lagging until the third set. I think it kind of flip-flopped from our last game.”
Another difference after three weeks of play: a more dangerous Lee Wildcats attack.
“Our offense has become more efficient,” Lee coach John Warner said. “We’re running a really nice 5-1, and we have some good back row attacks that have been very effective as well.
“I’m really happy with where our offense is. We just have to clean up some of our defensive sloppiness.”
Lee goes to Mount Anthony Union in Bennington, Vt., on Wednesday.
Mount Greylock is at Pittsfield on Wednesday.