Lakeside takes down PA in four-set matchup

Lakeside bounced back from a challenging weekend in Russellville to defeat Pulaski Academy in four sets Monday at the Lakeside Athletic Complex.

The Rams (14-7, 5-1) went 5-5 in tournament competition on Saturday in Russellville. Pulaski Academy (10-4-1) had won nine of the team’s last 10 matches.

The Rams fell behind quickly in the first set, 5-0. Following Lakeside’s first timeout, the Rams managed to break Pulaski’s serve and get on the board 8-1.

The Bruins successfully held on to their lead throughout the first

round, 18-11. Lakeside’s efforts came up short as the Rams fell to the Bruins, 25-11.

Despite the 1-0 deficit, the Rams started off strong in the second set. Senior co-captain Lyca Steelman hit four straight serves to give Lakeside momentum.

Lakeside moved out in front for a 17-12 advantage. The Rams ended the set as junior full-time setter Olivia Lawrence assisted sophomore middle back Adachi Igbokidi with a final attack to claim the set, 25-20.

“To start off and be down 2511 is tough,” said Lakeside head coach Rhonda Thigpen. “I think to compose ourselves and to come back, showed what this team is about. I was very proud of that.”

Lawrence led the team with 32 assists, more than 15 digs, two block assists and two kills. Igbokidi added three block assists, two assists and seven kills.

Steelman led the Rams to an early 8-0 lead in the third set. Pulaski was unable to gain ground as Lakeside took a 23-12 lead before finishing off the set, 25-13. Steelman led her team in service points as she collected six aces, nine digs and one kill.

Lakeside briefly fell behind in the fourth set, 4-3. The Rams’ defense took over as they surged ahead for a 9-5 lead.

The Bruins fought back to tie the match, 18-18, before junior libero Molly Stineman stepped up her service to take the Rams to a 24-18 lead. Lakeside senior Meghan Fuller-Freeman concluded the final rally at the net with a hammered shot onto Pulaski’s side to set the final, 25-19

“To go three straight there after the first match, that was pretty big,” noted Thigpen. “Pulaski Academy has a great coach (Savannah Jacoby) and a great team. No. 19 (Evelyn Griffith, senior) is going to play big time D-1 beach, so that was a great player to play against.”

Claire Monte ended the night with 11 kills and two digs, junior Hattie Anne Douglas added 10 digs.

Stineman tallied 23 digs on the back row, adding one ace and a pair of assists. Fuller-Freeman collected 12 kills and three block assists. Sophomore Katie Ballard had three block assists, adding six kills and one assist to her team.

Senior co-captain Daelynn White accrued four digs, while junior Mary Catherine Cowen had six and one block assist.

“I was very proud tonight with the teacher appreciation and the faculty appreciation,” added Thigpen. “They didn’t get to see us win. A lot of them left because of their jobs, but I was very proud that they came out.”

“We had a big student section tonight and a big parents section, I don’t think we could make it without them. They really give energy to the team.”

Lakeside is scheduled to host El Dorado (2-7, 1-5) for a conference match on Thursday.

*Lakeside’s junior varsity squad claimed a 2-0 victory against the junior varsity Bruins. The matchup consisted of numerous rallies between them.

The Rams took the win in the first set, 25-21, and again in the second, 25-22.

Natalie Jennings led with five kills, one block and at least five assists. Macy Landry dominated the back line with over ten digs and multiple assists.

Sophomore setter Haley Fauber tallied six assists, one ace and one assist. Junior Ainsley Rottinghaus added three digs, one ace and two assists. Sophomore Ella Caroline Arnold had three digs, Jaiden Drake added three kills.