ALGONA – Even without its offensive architect, the Webster City volleyball team continued its late-season surge here Thursday evening with its second straight victory over a ranked opponent and third consecutive win overall.

Setter Taylor Schnathorst missed the match because of an illness, but Gianna Gourley – the team’s starting libero all season – stepped in and distributed 38 assists in the Lynx 3-0 victory over former North Central Conference rival and 13th-ranked (Class 1A) Algona Bishop Garrigan.

“Gianna did a great job,” WCHS head coach Jess Howard said following the win by scores of 26-24, 26-24 and 25-19. “She put the ball where it needed to be and we were able to keep our offense quick.”

Gourley’s transition also meant changes in the back row. Kenzie Garvey got the chance to start at libero and collected 16 digs, one off the team lead of 17 held by Molly Gilbert. Carly Jacobson also moved into a new role and picked up six digs, and Chelsey Wagoner got into the back row rotation and contributed three digs.

“The defense really did a good job of adjusting to things because all of the girls were playing new positions in the back row,” Howard said. “You never know how girls are going to adjust to a new lineup, but we’ve known all week that Taylor wasn’t going to be able to play, so we were able to prepare for it.”

Garrigan (20-16) had no answer for WCHS (15-10) middle hitter Hannah Myers. The lanky senior slammed 18 kills against just four errors and finished with a .424 kill efficiency. Gilbert proved a worthy sidekick with 14 kills, and Alex Dinsdale chipped in three.

Myers also dominated defensively with six solo blocks.

A current shareholder of the NCC lead, WCHS will get back to business in the league on Tuesday with a trip to Clear Lake to take on the Lions.