Seniors lead Edinburgh past Waldron as Lancers advance to semifinal

INDIANAPOLIS

With solid efforts from seniors Abbi Bryant, Jennifer Stinson and Maile Cox, the Edinburgh volleyball team defeated Waldron 25-18, 25-18, 25-16 in Tuesday’s first round of the Class A sectional at Lutheran High School.

The Lancers extended their winning streak to seven matches while improving their record to 27-7.

“Although I thought we played a little tight at first, we’re happy with the win,” Edinburgh coach Tina Bottorff said. “Hopefully, we got the tightness and bugs out because we know whoever we play, we’re going to have our hands full on Saturday.”

In Tuesday’s second match, second-ranked Lutheran beat Southwestern (Shelby) 25-13, 25-14, 20-25, 25-20, setting up a semifinal showdown between the Saints and Edinburgh at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Edinburgh, the defending sectional champion, got off to a good start, bolting to a 4-0 lead in the first game behind the serving of Stinson.

Bryant, Edinburgh’s top middle hitter, pushed the lead to 12-5, highlighted with an ace to the back line, forcing the Mohawks to call their first timeout.

Waldron committed seven unforced errors in the first game but still kept things go close, trailing 20-14. But a powerful overhead kill to the middle of the court by Bryant slammed the door on the Mohwaks’ rally.

Edinburgh jumped to an equally quick start in the second game with a 7-3 lead. But Waldron didn’t wilt.

The Mohawks tied the score at 11-11, then got their first lead, 12-11 and 13-11, before Edinburgh called timeout to regroup.

Waldron added two more points to make it 15-11 before Stinson halted the tide by nudging a point over the net for the Lancers.

With Stinson serving, the Lancers grabbed the momentum and went up 20-16. Bryant later delivered two kills to help Edinburgh win 25-18 game.

Edinburgh had less trouble winning the third game. The Lancers raced to a 12-6 advantage and enjoyed their biggest lead, 21-12, before winning 26-16. Cox was behind the service line for the winning point.

Bottorff applauded the Lancers’ team approach to regaining control of the match.

“Sometimes we have a few of our girls overplay when they have to,” Bottorff said. “But hopefully you play your position, do your job and you do it well, and good things happen.”