The Westfield volleyball team took on Brownsburg Thursday night in a Hoosier Crossroads Conference match at CSI Gymnasium, falling in straight sets, 25-22, 25-14, 25-19.
The Shamrocks kept things close in the first set before the Bulldogs took control in the middle of the set, eventually leading 20-16, then 23-18. Westfield cut that lead to 24-22, with Emma Dodson hitting a pair of kills along the way, before a Brownsburg kill finished the set.
The Bulldogs were in control of the second set the entire way, leading 7-1 early. Brownsburg went up 16-6, after which the ‘Rocks won three straight points, including a service ace by Chloe Sutake. Westfield hung around for a few more points before the Bulldogs won the last three to take the second set.
In the third set, the Shamrocks led for about two-thirds of the way. Dodson hit three kills early, and Westfield led 8-4. A successful block from Sutake gave the ‘Rocks an 11-7 lead.
Ella Jenkins added a kill, and another kill from Dodson put Westfield ahead 14-11. But Brownsburg went on an extended tear after that, taking 11 of the next 13 points to lead 22-16. The Bulldogs then had two successful shots at the end to clinch the win.
“I think that third set, we had control of the game and lost it towards the end,” said Jackson. “But our ability to be aggressive improved tonight, and not be playing afraid to make errors.”
Dodson led the offense with 10 kills, while Jenkins put down seven kills. Lilly Stanton dished out 17 assists, followed by eight assists by Izzy Jackson.
On defense, Mallory Weber collected 16 digs. Jenkins and Sutake both had two blocks.
“Our defense is scrappy and strong,” said Jackson. The coach said her team “did a good job defensively, especially back row. We were able to run down balls and keep them alive from our back row defense.”
Westfield is 8-9 for the season, including a 2-3 record in the HCC. The Shamrocks will travel to Fort Wayne Carroll on Saturday to play the Chargers and Concordia Lutheran.