BEACH - Hazen’s Autumn Johnson and Beach’s Channa Clarin share similar attributes.
Both players are 6-foot-2, both are middle hitters for their respected teams and both supplied double-digit kills on Thursday.
However, it was Johnson who helped the Hazen volleyball team to a four-set 25-18, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19 win over Beach during a Region 7 match.
“A lot of times I play against people who are shorter than me, so it’s cool height-wise to have that type of competition,” said Johnson, who finished with 13 kills including the final two points to win the match. “It showed me that I really have to work on covering and work my blocks as well. It was a good learning experience.”
Entering the game, Hazen head coach Linette Irwin knew it would be tough to contain Clarin.
Irwin was correct. Clarin finished with game-highs 25 kills, 12 blocks and 15 digs.
“She’s going to get her kills,” Irwin said. “You aren’t going to be able to stop that, so we just had to play tough when we had the ball on our side. We had to keep them out of system. That’s the only way you are going to beat them.”
Beach first-year head coach Patti Burian has been impressed with how the players have performed this season.
She also added it doesn’t hurt to have Clarin controlling the middle of the court.
“Channa definitely helps this team out at the net and she’s good all-around,” Burian said. “We have good players around her and it definitely helps.”
Hazen opened the match with a first-set win and Beach responded in the second. The Bison answered with back-to-back wins in the third and fourth sets.
In the third set, Hazen setter Kayla Lindquist supplied the final kill. Lindquist finished with 36 assists and 10 kills. Lindquist also found Krista Slaubaugh with 12 kills and Stephanie Ziegler added eight. Slaubaugh also supplied eight digs and two aces, while Ziegler posted 14 digs and two aces.
“I didn’t think we were very consistent today, but as far as intensity goes, we had about the same intensity throughout the match,” Irwin said.
Lateasha Lechler posted 21 kills, nine blocks and two aces for the Buccaneers, while Brooklyn Zachmann added 18 kills and five blocks. Bailey Weininger picked up 20 digs and Ashlynn Dietz dished out 45 assists.
“I felt this was the best the girls played all season and if they keep it up, we will do pretty well today,” Burian said.
Hazen 25 22 25 25 - 3
Beach 18 25 21 19 - 1
Kills: H, Autumn Johnson 13, Krista Slaubaugh 12, Kayla Lindquist 10, Stephanie Ziegler 8. B, Channa Clarin 25, Lateasha Lechler 21, Brooklyn Zachmann 18, Kaylee McIntrye 7, Callie Loftsgard 5.
Blocks: H, Eva Byerley 3. B, Clarin 12, Lechler 9, Zachmann 5.
Aces: H, Slaubaugh 2, Ziegler 2, Madison Leintz 2. B, Ashlynn Dietz 2, McIntrye 2, Lechler 2.
Digs: H, Ziegler 14, Dakota Wood 11, Slaubaugh 8. B, Bailey Weininger 20, Clarin 15.
Assists: H, Kayla Lindquist 36. B, Dietz 45.
