DW rallies for five-set win

DAYTON–After pulling out a hard-fought 26-24 first-set win over the White Swan Cougars in the 2021-covid season's final match here Wednesday, March 24, Dayton-Waitsburg went flat for two sets before catching fire and leaving no doubt of who wanted the win more.

In the fourth set, with the match possibly teetering on going to White Swan, the Lady Wolfpack kick it in gear and made a convincing 25-8 win to set up the fifth set. It was a nail biter with DW pulling off a 15-13 win.

The Wolfpack finished the abbreviated season 4-8, counting two wins over River View, one against Columbia-Burbank and the season finale over White Swan.

"As you know, volleyball is a very emotional game," Head Coach Tracy Barron commented. "I believe it was the senior girls that changed the tide. They were adamant in a time out that they were ending their volleyball careers with a win."

Seniors Katherine Houchin and Sadie Seney had double-doubles, and fellow senior Teagen Larsen kept the ball off the floor with 17 assists and seven digs. Houchin counted 16 digs and 13 kills, and Seney had 10 digs and 10 kills. Larsen counted a trio of kills.

Junior outside hitter/setter Megan Forney also had a double-double, getting the ball back to teammates with 13 assists and 11 digs. On offense she also notched two kills.

Claudia Benavides was the leading ace server with six, Seney pounded five, Forney following with four, freshman Makenna Barron and Larsen with two and Houchin with a single ace.

In the block department, Seney stood out with six in the match, Barron was in their face with three, and Larsen had one.

Barron counted four kills and one assist to her credit.

"The team played really well together tonight," Coach Barron noted. "Everyone on the team contributed to this win. Claudia Benavides led the game in serving with six aces and Peyton Struckmeier came in off the bench and got two kills. It was a great end to an amazing season."