The red and black Clear Brook Lady Wolverines wore their Lime Green T-shirts to warm up and the green had a way of glowing like an incandescent aura filling the gym.  This was a bad omen for the Lady Chargers as Clear Brook’s Libero, Trysta Dionne, served out the first 4 points of the match.  Clear Springs bounced back, eventually tying the game at 7-7.  At one point Clear Brook’s Darian Lockwood, who had a dominating night, was so intent on saving a ball, she ran on the other side of the net and bumped it into play.  It was a nice play but it doesn’t count when you’re on the other team’s side.

Bailie Jedlicka was a big reason for the Lady Chargers coming back with a thunderous block at that point.  The game went back and forth, the way these games often do, 11-11, 13-13, and then Clear Brook made their run, jumping out 16-13 before Coach Rhonda Rust had to call a time out.

            The Clear Springs girls battled back, to within one point, 23-22.  The crowd was tense, watching this battle between two determined teams.  The first game was important to both teams and coaches.  Clear Brook’s Alicia Dittrich took charge and within minutes the Lady Wolverines had won game one, 25-21, and Coach Meredith Thompson smiled.  Brook had 11 “kills” to Springs 7 “kills.”

            Game two started with a bang and an “ace” serve from Crystal Young of Clear Brook.  Both teams continued to bang it down and they were tied at 7-7 when Clear Brook once again began to pull away slightly.  The stands behind the teams were rocking with a stomp and clap rhythm as the Clear Brook JV players did cheers and chants for their Lady Wolverine teammates.  The cheers must have worked because the Lady Wolverines jumped out with a lead, 17-14, 18-16, 21-19.  They never looked back and took the game 25-20, even though Clear Springs had 12 “kills” to Brook’s 11.

            Clear Springs regrouped and knew this next game was a “must” win or go home with a big loss.  The Lady Wolverines jumped out to a big lead right away but it wasn’t easy as a tremendous effort from Clear Spring’s Shirley Paul made Clear Brook work hard for every point with many outstanding digs and saves all night.  One massive spike was sent like a missile and Shirley flew like a graceful kingfisher diving for a minnow, and acrobatically kept the sure smash alive to the gasp of the crowd. 

            As valiantly as they fought the Lady Wolverines were just too much in control with their power game at this point.  The game progressed, Clear Brook leading 13-7, 17-10, 19-16, 21-18, and then with dominating crushing spikes from Caitie O’Connell and Anita Permenter of Clear Brook the dust settled and the Lady Wolverines had taken game three, 25-19.

            The three games were entertaining with dramatic digs and massive spikes and teamwork was what kept the many long volleys going.  At one point I think a volley lasted for about five minutes.  The last game of the night the Lady Wolverines had a whopping 14 “kills” and the Lady Chargers had 7.

            The crowd got their money’s worth with great volleyball played on both sides.  They’ll meet again this season and the rematch should be a good one.  This Friday, October 2, Clear Springs takes on the Dickinson Gators in Dickinson and Clear Brook faces Alvin at home.  Friday night is Clear Lake’s Homecoming and the Lady Falcons travel to Clear Creek High School to take on the defending District champion Lady Wildcats at 4:30 pm.  

Clear Springs “kill” leaders:

Carley McCarra                      10

Tori Whitworth                       6

Samone Boyd                          5

Bailie Jedlicka                                    4

Clear Brook “kill” leaders:

Alicia Dittrich                         8

Caiti O’Connell                       8

Crystal Young                         5

Darian Lockwood                   4

Anita Permenter                      4

Gabby Pinto                            3