Errors cost the Pen High Lakers senior boys volleyball team in a loss to the top-ranked Mt. Boucherie Bears.
The Lakers hosted the Bears Wednesday and coach Rob Gunning said his team played OK, but they just made a few too many errors at critical times. After losing the first set 25-22 they rebounded to win the second set 25-23, then lost 25-16 and 25-23.
“We did not serve consistently enough, or tough enough,” said Gunning, whose team is ranked fifth. “We are getting a little bit better in terms of our overall energy and compete level, but it still needs to come up a notch in big matches like that.”
Gunning has also seen constant growth from middles Austin Stephens and Josh Gowe which helps them balance the offence and get more consistent blocking. Mitch Head also had a strong outing at the net and gave the Lakers a real boost of energy in a very tight fourth set.
“We need to focus on consistency the rest of the way. We need contributions from everybody on our team in order to be successful,” said Gunning. “We do not have one dominant player like some other teams do, so we will need a united effort going forward into the valleys and provincials.”
The senior girls team earned its first win against the Bears. The Lakers, ranked 10th, needed four sets to top the ninth-ranked Bears, 25-16, 25-18, 22-25, 25-21.