High School Sports

By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer

Robert E. Lee rebounded from its first loss of the season by sweeping Van and Whitehouse Tuesday in a dual match at REL Varsity Gymnasium.

It was also the home opener for the Lady Raiders, who defeated Van in four games (21-25, 25-14, 25-11, 25-22) and Whitehouse in four games (25-3, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20) to raise their record to 8-1. Whitehouse beat Van in its other match (25-20, 25-16, 25-21) to put the LadyCats record at 5-1.

REL overcame a slow start in its match against Van, dropping the first game before sweeping the next three.

"We started off flat against Van in that first game I thought, but after that we got better," said REL head coach Melissa Lee. "I tried to play some different people in that last game; and for switching people in and being the first home game, I thought they did a good job."

The Lady Raiders were led by senior Sarah Sivertson's nine kills and 18 assists. She also had six digs and four blocks. Senior Sydney Lindsay finished with 10 kills and six digs, Beth Felix had 16 assists and Eva Story tallied 12 digs.

Van was led in the loss by senior Sarah Milewski, who had 12 kills and three blocks. Caitlyn Galloway finished with five kills.

It was just the opposite against Whitehouse.

The Lady Raiders put forth their most dominating effort to date, overwhelm the visitors 25-3 in game one.

The remaining games were much tighter with REL eventually holding off the LadyCats for a 3-1 victory.

"We were just on in the first game � it was an outstanding game for everyone," Lee said. "I don't know what happens when you cross the other side of the net, but it all evens out."

Sivertson and Lindsay again led the way with Sivertson tallying 18 kills, 21 assists and five blocks. Lindsay finished with 14 kills and 11 digs. Haley Weaver added five blocks.

The decider for Lee in the match came from behind the service line as Eva Storey racked up 18 service points with Sivertson going three better with 21 total service points. Both finished with multiple service aces.

Whitehouse was paced in the loss by Sarah Stanley (15 assists, 2 aces), Christine Ford (13 assists, 7 kills), Abigail Crawford (8 kills, 5 blocks). Defensively, Whitehouse was led by Ashley Crank (9 digs, 7 digs).

REL will next compete at the Marshall Tournament on Thursday. The Lady Raiders are scheduled to lead off with Texas High at 1:30 p.m. at Marshall High School.

Whitehouse will be in the Gilmer tournament Thursday. The Lady Cats first match is slated for 2 p.m. at Gilmer High School.