WJ Spikers Top Comets
By: John V. Wood, Correspondent
The West Johnston Lady Wildcats took to the volleyball court Thursday night, to face Big Eight South rival Clayton.
Having both played several matches within the last few days, this would be a true test of stamina. Even though the
Wildcats lost several early game leads, they played the Lady Comets to a five-game match, winning 3-2. Having faced
each other already this season in the conference tournament, both the Comets and the Wildcats knew full well what to
expect.
“We knew what they had, and our girls played three games this week, losing to Triton 3-0, losing to Garner 3-1, and
now Clayton, “ WJ coach Karen Johnson said. “But I don’t think fatigue played a factor.”
“Yeah, we were a little tired, after losing to Southern Nash in five on Monday, and losing to Wilson Hunt in five on
Tuesday,” Clayton coach Ken Stivason said. “We’re scrappy, and it’s good to get out there and get some reps.”
As with the Tortoise and the Hare, West would pull out to a big lead, only to allow Clayton to hang in and close the gap.
In Game One, Clayton defeated West 25-21, due to the play of junior Lenee Sinclair and freshman Katie Rothecker. In
Game Two, contrary to the formula, Clayton jumped out to a 6-1 lead. The Lady Comets could not hold onto that lead,
however, and West roared back to win 27-25. West’s Crystal Johnson factored in big, with at least two spike winners
and one block winner in the win.
“We had trouble tonight with [Crystal Johnson],” Stivason said. “But we could have won each of these games tonight.”
Clayton took Game Three 25-23, even though several net errors were committed by both teams. Toward the end of the
match, Clayton’s Sinclair made a sensational block of a spike attempt by West’s Johnson, allowing the Comets to gain
momentum.
Game Four saw WJ jump out to a 10-4 lead, on the back of Lesley Hewitt’s serve. “We started out real good, but then
we let them back into it,” coach Johnson said. “Both teams were so evenly matched, it came down to who made the least
mistakes.” Clayton went on a 9-3 run, and tied the game at 22-apiece. But the Lady Comets made back-to-back crucial
errors – a four-hit and an illegal alignment penalty – and lost the lead and the game, 26-24.
Game Five was modified slightly, with a race to 15 instead of 25. West Johnston won the coin flip, and served first. The
Lady Wildcats jumped out to a 5-1 lead, before Clayton called a timeout. “I told the girls to relax, and get control of our
net errors,” Stivason said. After the timeout, the lead grew to 8-1, but the Lady Comets mounted a surge. Going on an
6-2 run, the comets forced West Johnston to call a timeout with the score 10-7 Wildcats.
“I told my girls we have only got to get five points, and they have got to get eight,” Johnson said. “The advantage is
ours.”
Johnson’s advice worked. Clayton scored the next two points to push the score to 10-9, but West Johnston truly had
the momentum. With winners from Hewitt and Alex Canady, the Lady Wildcats scored the last five points to win the
game 15-9, and the match.
“Most of our errors were technique errors tonight,” Johnson said. “But I did see that working a little better than it has in
the past.”
By: John V. Wood, Correspondent
The West Johnston Lady Wildcats took to the volleyball court Thursday night, to face Big Eight South rival Clayton.
Having both played several matches within the last few days, this would be a true test of stamina. Even though the
Wildcats lost several early game leads, they played the Lady Comets to a five-game match, winning 3-2. Having faced
each other already this season in the conference tournament, both the Comets and the Wildcats knew full well what to
expect.
“We knew what they had, and our girls played three games this week, losing to Triton 3-0, losing to Garner 3-1, and
now Clayton, “ WJ coach Karen Johnson said. “But I don’t think fatigue played a factor.”
“Yeah, we were a little tired, after losing to Southern Nash in five on Monday, and losing to Wilson Hunt in five on
Tuesday,” Clayton coach Ken Stivason said. “We’re scrappy, and it’s good to get out there and get some reps.”
As with the Tortoise and the Hare, West would pull out to a big lead, only to allow Clayton to hang in and close the gap.
In Game One, Clayton defeated West 25-21, due to the play of junior Lenee Sinclair and freshman Katie Rothecker. In
Game Two, contrary to the formula, Clayton jumped out to a 6-1 lead. The Lady Comets could not hold onto that lead,
however, and West roared back to win 27-25. West’s Crystal Johnson factored in big, with at least two spike winners
and one block winner in the win.
“We had trouble tonight with [Crystal Johnson],” Stivason said. “But we could have won each of these games tonight.”
Clayton took Game Three 25-23, even though several net errors were committed by both teams. Toward the end of the
match, Clayton’s Sinclair made a sensational block of a spike attempt by West’s Johnson, allowing the Comets to gain
momentum.
Game Four saw WJ jump out to a 10-4 lead, on the back of Lesley Hewitt’s serve. “We started out real good, but then
we let them back into it,” coach Johnson said. “Both teams were so evenly matched, it came down to who made the least
mistakes.” Clayton went on a 9-3 run, and tied the game at 22-apiece. But the Lady Comets made back-to-back crucial
errors – a four-hit and an illegal alignment penalty – and lost the lead and the game, 26-24.
Game Five was modified slightly, with a race to 15 instead of 25. West Johnston won the coin flip, and served first. The
Lady Wildcats jumped out to a 5-1 lead, before Clayton called a timeout. “I told the girls to relax, and get control of our
net errors,” Stivason said. After the timeout, the lead grew to 8-1, but the Lady Comets mounted a surge. Going on an
6-2 run, the comets forced West Johnston to call a timeout with the score 10-7 Wildcats.
“I told my girls we have only got to get five points, and they have got to get eight,” Johnson said. “The advantage is
ours.”
Johnson’s advice worked. Clayton scored the next two points to push the score to 10-9, but West Johnston truly had
the momentum. With winners from Hewitt and Alex Canady, the Lady Wildcats scored the last five points to win the
game 15-9, and the match.
“Most of our errors were technique errors tonight,” Johnson said. “But I did see that working a little better than it has in
the past.”