Westlake tops Lorain in 3 sets

Demons knock off Titans only a week before the two teams meet in the postseason, a choice made by Lorain

Facing the team they will open the postseason against, Westlake got a chance to send a message.

The visiting Demons scored the first six points of the match to set the tone to capture a 25-15, 25-19, 25-22 nonconference win over Lorain on October 6.

“We had our sectional draw (Sunday),” Westlake coach Megan Mental said. “I told the girls Lorain picked us to play. So you have to set the tone real quick and really early.

“We went by the game plan. We knew they were going to go to (Marlena Guice) on the outside. We need to set up a block ... don’t give her the easy kills and to serve aggressive. I think we did really well.”

Freshman Libby Paul started things off for Westlake (5-14) at the service line.

She rattled off a pair of aces and Paige Ward and Katie Murray each had a kill. Lorain (11-9) also committed a pair of net violations during the run.

Continuing to serve aggressively, Westlake increased its lead to 14-3 in the first set. They also slowed down Guice with a solid block.

Between Murray, Ward, Abbey Kay and Lexi West, the quartet gave Lorain’s attack fits at the net. It was West’s block kill which gave the Demons the first set.

“We were about three steps behind, especially in the first (set),” Lorain coach Lynne Rositano said. “We have kind of struggled in serve-receive all year, and they were a very good serving team. They didn’t miss much and were very strong.”

While Lorain wasn’t able to get into its offense on servereceive, it was the Demons’ blocking which allowed them to get tips at the net and get into system. Murray had four block kills, while Kay led them with five block kills. Having a height advantage at the net, Westlake was able to take advantage of it.

“We knew that we had to close the block, get our hands over the net and get some good touches to slow down the ball.” Murray said.

Nothing epitomized the

“We know that if we play like we did, we can come out and (have a chance to) win our sectional” Katie Murray, Westlake senior

height advantage more than Murray, who recorded five of her team-high 15 kills during Westlake’s 7-0 run to close out the second set. More than half of them came on a quick offense which Lorain had trouble closing out on.

Firmly in control of the match, Westlake had match point with an eight-point lead. Though they had been able to slow down Guice for most of the match, she came alive in the third set.

She had four of her gamehigh 17 kills to slim the sixpoint deficit down to 24-22. After a Westlake timeout, Murray sealed the win with a kill.

“It (win) means a lot, especially since we are facing them (next) Monday,” Murray said. “We know that if we play like we did, we can come out and (have a chance to) win our sectional.”

Along with Murray, Paige Ward had a fine night at the net. She recorded 13 kills to give Westlake a solid-1-2 punch at the net. Jamie Sandor led the defense with 19 digs.

Along with Guice, Sarah Leighliter added 13 digs and four blocks. Evelyn Williams had 11 assists.

“I think we are in a good spot to know what we need to work on and build some confidence,” Rositano said.

Westlake travels to North Olmsted on Oct. 7, while Lorain will host Cleveland Heights.