After stumbling out of the blocks to start the season, coach Lorinda Shew and her varsity Lady Bruin Volleyball team seem to have found their groove after winning Tuesday night in Gold Beach in straight sets, and then traveling to take on the 3-0 St. Mary’s Crusaders and very nearly walking out of their gym with another 3 straight set win.
The Bruin defense has achieved two things so far this season, it has kept the team in games with hustle, but it also has cleverly cloaked a powerful and formidable front line that offensively has overpowered opponents not accustomed to being beat at the net.
The Lady Bruins took the first two sets against the Lady Crusaders 25-17 and 25-22 and fell just short of winning the 3rd set 23-25 after tying the set at 22.
The Lady Bruins had 56 digs in the match, led by senior Shelby Jirsa #4 with 20, sophomore Cameron Crosby #6 with 12, senior Gracie Harms #14 with 7 and senior Sierra Fitzhugh #5 and junior Jo Pryor #10 both had 6 digs.
Shelby Jirsa also led the way with 17 kills, 16 assists and Cameron Crosby led the team with 3 aces and 12 assists along with her 12 digs.
Senior Sierra Fitzhugh #5 led the team with 2 blocks and juniors Skylar Gallagher #3 and Jordan Crosby #2 each had blocks in the match as the Lady Bruins went on to beat St. Mary’s in the 4th set 25-14 putting another check in win column.
Talking with Coach Shew after the game she told the Compass ” This being our first real road trip of any length, the girls were a little sluggish getting started… We didn’t exactly have our best stuff today, but the girls found the holes on the court and grit it out.., so I’m really proud of the way these girls are fighting to eek out a win anyway they can.” The Lady Bruins will take on the 2-1 Sutherlin Lady Bulldogs next Tuesday evening.
