Layne Thompson – LRHS News
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – The LRHS volleyball team’s season came to a frustrating close after losing to Naples Gulf Coast Nov. 9.
After a 22-25 loss in the first set the Mustangs came to the conclusion that this match wouldn’t be easy, and it wasn’t. The second set was an upset at 16-25 and the ladies started to become genuinely worried for their season. The last set was closer, but still finished 25-22 in favor of the Sharks.
“We didn’t play well. That’s not our normal team. We never got flowing, just everything was out of synch all three games,” Coach Perri Hankins told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Junior Nicole Grant had a steady game with 12 kills and freshman Ande McDonald with 15 digs. Although they played well, it just wasn’t good enough to beat the Sharks. Senior Ali Milbourn also had 25 assists, senior Ashlyn Falahee had 11 kills, and junior Coleen Campbell had five.
“There were a lot of feelings involved. We were nervous, and we were excited, and there was a lot on our minds,” Grant told the Bradenton Herald. “I think we were thinking too ahead. We would get up and then think too much and fall back and then we lost some momentum. It’s rough, but we’ve got next year.”
The Mustangs ended the season with a 24-6 record.
“I’m proud of us,” said freshman Kahlee York, “it was a great season and I’m excited to start getting ready for next season.”
Lakewood Ranch had four seniors this year, Ashlyn Falahee, Ali Milbourn, Savannah Sears, and Lauren Owens. Sears tweeted, “It’s weird knowing that something you’ve invested so much time into for the past four years is completely over..I’ll always love my ladies.”
All the seniors are sad to go but excited to start new beginnings. Falahee will be continue her volleyball career at California’s Claremont Colleges in the fall.