The Daily Freeman-Journal

CLEAR LAKE – For the second consecutive Thursday, the Webster City volleyball team left the cocoon of its home court and had to rally for a dramatic five-set North Central Conference victory here last night.

“I don’t get any sleep anyway, so why not,” WCHS head coach Jess Howard joked after her squad picked up its fifth consecutive win with a 3-2 triumph over Clear Lake. “It’s a good thing to see the girls have perseverance. They were able to handle adversity and they had the legs and stamina in the fourth and fifth games.”

The Lynx (14-9, 4-2 NCC) fell behind 2-1 before ripping off the final two sets for the 25-22, 14-25, 21-25, 25-10, 15-9 victory. WCHS dug itself a 2-0 hole seven days earlier before it stormed back to win three straight sets to beat Fort Dodge St. Edmond.

“Having that short memory when things go bad and playing Webster City volleyball when we needed it, that was good to see,” Howard said.

Senior middle hitter Olivia Myers was a dominant figure offensively and defensively for the Lynx. She blasted 19 kills and finished with a .531 kill efficiency to go along with a match-high seven blocks.

WCHS turned its fate over to Myers and Taylor Schnathorst (20 kills) in the final two sets and they delivered. Myers made just two mistakes in 32 swats, Schnathorst just six in 50 chances.

Kamry Dawson added six kills against Clear Lake (7-13, 1-5 NCC). Sarah Vogelbacher (26 assists) and Courtney Lampman (21) shared the setting duties.

Lynx libero Gianna Gourley contributed 21 assists, while Schnathorst finished with 17.

WCHS will be off until next Thursday night when it will host Algona in the conference finale for both teams. A victory would secure the Lynx third-place outright behind league champion Humboldt and runner-up Iowa Falls-Alden.