Set up for a title run

Lancaster rallies again after falling behind 2-0

By SEAN LYNCH
Valley Press Staff Writer

With first place on the line Tuesday evening, Lancaster was put to the test once more, with visiting Highland hoping to snag a share of the Golden League lead.

The Bulldogs did everything in their power to make that happen, at least for the opening two games in which they were almost flawless.

But Highland joined the ranks of teams who have made the fatal mistake of not finishing off Lancaster when the opportunity presented itself. Led by a tremendous service game, the Eagles stormed back, winning the final three games for the 3-2 victory (23-25, 15-25, 25-19, 25-13, 15-6).

"Highland just played and passed really well in the first two games," Eagles coach Dave Gutierrez said. "I think the big turnaround came because of our serve and the fact that we passed a lot better in the final three games. Once we get into the fifth game we're pretty battle hardened and have a sense of familiarity."

The victory was the Eagles' third league win that went the full five games and marked the third time this season the team has forced a fifth game after being down 2-0.

The victory also leaves Lancaster (7-1, 8-3) in an enviable position for the rest of league. The Eagles have a two-game edge on Highland (5-3, 5-8) and Littlerock (5-3) and a one-game lead over Quartz Hill (6-2), which they've already beaten twice.

Other than Littlerock, who handed Lancaster its lone league loss, the Eagles' remaining schedule (Palmdale, Knight, Antelope Valley) consists of the bottom half of the standings

"Highland was a major hurdle," Gutierrez said. "This sets us up well for the rest of league."

Highland appeared to be a hurdle that Lancaster was going to trip over, when the Bulldogs took a commanding 2-0 lead.

Led by outside hitter Nicole Moore's five kills, Highland took a tight game one and then pounded the Eagles in game two thanks to a 10-point service run by setter Renee Murguia.

Moore finished the night with a match-high 14 kills and Murguia added six kills and a match-high 31 assists, but neither was as effective the rest of the way.

"We started out great and I think we let up a little bit and were never able to get our energy back," Moore said.

The tide began to turn in Lancaster's favor early in game three. With things tied at 2, the Eagles ran off nine straight points behind the jump serve of their captain, Roxy Neely.

"I love when I can go on a run, because it gives the whole team energy," Neely said.

Neely wasn't the only one providing energy, as the Lancaster service game took over the match.

Nikki Castro provided the magic in the fourth game, turning a 12-12 game into a 24-12 lead. Castro had two aces during the run and finished with four in the match.

"I was just focused," Castro said. "And I was happy, and when I'm happy I play well."

Lancaster finished the night with 18 aces, led by Sabrina Buie's five.

Along with the service onslaught, Heather Black and Alectra Edison provided a huge spark off the bench. Edison finished with seven kills and Black with five.

With momentum on its side, Lancaster made short work of a Bulldogs squad that seemed to tighten in the fifth game.

"I think they just have a great all-around game," Bulldogs coach Max Bautista said. "You have to hand it to Lancaster, they beat us 3-0 when they needed to."