Riverside defeats Reardan in home finale

REARDAN-The Riverside Rams dealt the Screaming Eagles volleyball team a loss on Oct. 22, in Reardan's last home match of the season. Riverside, who plays in the Northeast 1A league, won the four-set match 25-16, 22-25, 27-25, 25-16.

Riverside bookended their winning match with superior offensive play that kept Reardan's players on their heels. In the first and fourth sets, the Rams started fast and cruised to 25-16 wins.

The excitement started in the second set. Riverside took an 11-5 lead and looked well on their way to another win.

The Screaming Eagles' Ashley Landt entered the game and sparked her team with powerful serves and solid defense. Following her example, the team played with intensity. Reardan overtook the Rams, taking a 13-12 lead. From then on, the teams matched each other point for point, until Emma Flaa secured Reardan's 25-22 win with a flurry of kills.

In the third set, Riverside again came out of the gate fast, taking a 10-0 lead.

Liz Bell led the Screaming Eagle's comeback with her aggressive play that resulted in two aces, and several kills.

Reardan knotted the game at 14 apiece. Flaa then took over at the net, ending five volleys with kill shots. With the game tied 25-25, Riverside was able to eke out the win with the last two points.

In both sets, Justine Flett's stellar defensive play kept the ball alive for the Screaming Eagles. She ended the match with 34 digs.

Reardan coach Amber Whitman juggled her lineup throughout the match because of injuries to two key players. She was pleased with her substitutes' efforts and the grit the team showed when facing adversity in the middle sets.

Kaylee Winterroth led Riverside with 10 kills and seven blocks. For Reardan, Coalie Whitman recorded 36 assists, and Amelia Ray chipped in 12 more. Bell ended the game with eight kills, two aces and 15 digs. Payten Thurman-Wynne had five blocks and Flaa was dominant at the net with 23 kills.

The win improved Riverside's record to 3-9. Reardan dropped to 4-4 in NE2B play and 8-6 overall.

Things got much better for Reardan Tuesday. The Screaming Eagles got an upset win at Upper Columbia Academy in four sets to improve to 9-6 with a final regular season match at Liberty Thursday, Oct. 27. The Lancers swept Reardan in three sets and will host the Screaming Eagles again in the first round of the District 7 tournament Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m.