Late miscues cost Lakeview as Central City earns win

COLUMBUS - The Columbus Lakeview volleyball team hung with No. 4-ranked Central City Thursday, but it couldn't close out as the Bison won 25-23, 25-22, 25-15 at the Lakeview High School gym.

"It was fun match. We traded side out for two and a half games," said Lakeview coach Tracy Briggs. "They helped us out with some errors, but we were even with them until the end. Then we made some errors down the stretch."

The Viqueens hung were tied with Central City at 22-all in the first game, when the Bison (2-0) scored three of the next four points.

The second game unfolded in similar fashion with the Viqueens (3-3) taking a late lead. Lakeview was ahead 19-16, but then Central City scored six unanswered points, which included five errors by Lakeview.

The Viqueens traded side outs with Central City with the Bison taking a 12-10 lead. However, Central City took control of the match as the Viqueens committed five straight errors.

"We had too many unforced errors, and we have to bring it and be more aggressive," Briggs said. "If we do that, we're successful."

Sophomore Ashley Wurdeman paced Lakeview with 10 kills as she hit .412 and added six blocks. Briggs said Wurdeman has been an important part of the Viqueens offense lately.

"She has made a big step in every game we've played," he said. "She really understands the game."

Also, Kiley Eisenbarth, who earned her first start after Mandy Wetgen suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on Tuesday, contributed a career-high six kills and six digs.

Briggs said the passing was improved as Lakeview had 42 perfect passes on serve receive. However, that translated to 29 kills and 28 errors on offense.

Lakeview will get another shot at Central City this weekend at the Boone Central Invite. However, in order to succeed, Briggs said the Viqueens need to cut out some of the unforced errors.

"I'm very pleased with the effort, not satisfied with the execution because talent-wise we're much better than a .500 ball club," he said. "We have to step it up and tighten down the screws."

Central City (2-0) 25 25 25

Lakeview (3-3) 23 22 15

n KILLS: LV-Ashley Wurdeman 10, Kiley Eisenbarth 6.

n ASSISTS: LV-Amber Gonka 14, Brittany Wurdeman 9.

n BLOCKS: LV-Ashley Wurdeman 6.

n ACES: LV-Ashley Wurdeman. Eisenbarth 2

n DIGS: LV-Karlynn Kapels 14, Eisenbarth 6, Ashley Wurdeman 10, Brittany Wurdeman 10.