Clear Lake Brings Too Much Fire Power and Takes the Win from Clear Brook
Clear Lake is the last surviving unbeaten volleyball team in District 24-5A and it was an epic battle and a showcase for amazing players on both sides of the net. The Clear Lake gym was full with a packed house yelling encouragement for their players. Clear Lake has a trio of Hitters and the night would be their big show with 42 “kills” between them. I’m talking about Lauren Horelka, Kate Foley, and Ashley Power and the spiking exhibition they put on Tuesday night, beating the valiant gritty team of Clear Brook, winning three of the four games to take home the victory.
Outside the rain never stopped and inside the gym volleyballs rained down as both teams hit kills right and left. Clear Lake wore their white jerseys and Clear Brook wore their red and black. The Clear Brook Libero, Trysta Dionne #2, wore solid black-like a little Johnny Cash in Spandex and she had an outstanding night, digging many spikes to save the Lady Wolverines numerous times. I watched during time outs and game breaks and the stands had many freshmen and JV volleyball players yelling for their teams while they also concentrated on finishing homework and studying. This is what dedication student athletes must have, and I felt proud that their coaches have instilled this work ethic in them.
The Lady Wolverines took a 4 point lead early in game one but the Lady Falcons fought back and tied the game at 10-10. That’s when I saw the Clear Lake Falcon mascot take off her head, scaring me again. The cheerleaders in their white outfits built two pyramids and chanted “go-Lake-go.” The cheer worked and Clear Lake won game one, 25-20. The first game was the Lauren Horelka show and she had 5 kills, but Kiara Wright, who said after the games, “I had a bad night, I think I played my worst games tonight.” She made big blocks at crucial times all night long. In game one she had two huge blocks that shifted momentum and helped her team.
Game two started out with standout Setter Logen Bourque serving 3 consecutive points, with another “ace.” This was the toughest game for both teams as they traded points with the game going back and forth, 6-6, 9-9, 14-14, 16-16, 21-21. Clear Brook’s #15 Alicia Dittrich led the Lady Wolverines with 4 kills in this game. The Cheerleaders hopped up during a Time Out and looked like Kung fu Masters with high kicks accentuating their chant and once again it worked as Clear Lake edged out a determined Clear Brook team, 26-24, with Kiara Wright slamming down the winning “kill.” The Lady Falcons now led 2 games to 0.
Game three began with Clear Lake jumping out fast with three quick points but the Lady Wolverines fought back and evened it up 6-6. A fired up Alicia Dittrich in game three slammed down four more “kills” and Caitlin O’Connell followed her example and nailed down four more. Brook broke off on a run of points and led 19-14, when Logen Bourque had to clean the wet floor with a towel for the third time that night. Not only can she “set” volleyballs, but she can clean up gym floors with a smile. Clear Brook had to win this third game or the night would end. They cranked up their intensity and this match was dynamic with some of the best volleyball of the season. Bodies were flying all over the floor, diving for saves and digging spikes inches off the hardwood. Clear Brook deserved winning the third game and took it from the Lady Falcons, 25-19. The night was not over yet and Clear Lake still led 2 games to 1.
Logen Bourque exclaimed afterwards that she was a “little worried during game three, but she felt confident still.” Game four began with the Lady Falcons getting a four point lead quickly, but the Lady Wolverines fought back to be trailing 6-8. This game belonged to Clear Lake’s #22, Kate Foley and she smashed 8 “kills” through the floor, asserting her dominance in that final game. Clear Lake rode her shattering spikes to a 25-21 win, keeping their unbeaten District record intact. Logen Bourque said after the game that she was super excited to win this game! She said about the win, “It feels Great!” Head Coach Chanda Eager felt great too, and smiled after the challenge to stay unbeaten was over for tonight. Her team rose to the occasion and pulled off another win. Friday night, September 25, the Lady Falcons travel to Dickinson to play the Lady Gators in another District game.
Clear Brook’s Head Coach Meredith Thompson’s Lady Wolverines are still a team that will be right in the middle of the playoff hunt and they’ll get another shot at Clear Lake this season. Clear Brook plays host to Galveston Ball High School in another District matchup Friday night, September 25th.
Clear Lake 53 total kills
Clear Brook 32 total kills
Clear Lake kill leaders
Lauren Horelka 15
Ashley Power 15
Kate Foley 12
Clear Brook kill leaders
Alicia Dittrich 13
Caitlin O’Connell 7
Anita Permenter 6