Lady Huskies fall to Riverside in close match

The gym was packed on Friday night for the Lady Huskies’ last home game and Senior Night. They hosted Riverside in what would turn out to be an intense back-and-forth, nail-biter of a game. “We don’t get to play point for point very often in our conference,” said Coach Erin Bassett. “So it was a good exercise to battle for every point.” 

Burlington won the first set 25-22, lost the second set 24-26, won the third set 25-19, lost the fourth set 13-25 and lost the final set 14-16. “I think overall, the girls did well,” said Bassett. “They worked hard and played as a team. I felt like they put forth a lot of effort and worked hard, but we never really settled into a rhythm. Riverside has some great hitters so it was always a challenge for our blockers and our defense.”

Sarah McNiven was Burlington’s lead blocker with four stuff blocks and an additional five deflections. Naomi McNiven followed close behind with one stuff and eight deflections. Adison Haslam, Dalley Bassett, Paxton Philpott and Hailee Winterholler each threw in two as well. Philpot was the team’s lead defender with 26 digs, Haslam and Bassett each contributed 19, McNiven had 15, Eve McNulty and Breanne Walker 10 each, Sarah McNiven five and Winterholler four. 

“On the offensive side, Sarah and Paxton had 14 kills a piece with Naomi chipping in eight, Hailee three and Dalley two. Adison led with 15 assists, Breanne eight, Hailee eight and Naomi and Paxton threw in a few as well. Hailee led the way serving with five aces, followed by Eve and Adison with four, Sarah with two and Naomi and Paxton one.”

Bassett added, “Friday was the first game this season that we have played five sets, so it was good to get that out of the way before we go to regionals. We had a few injuries early in the week that made us a little anxious about how Friday would go, but we tried to prepare for any scenario and come what may. Obviously, we would have liked to end with the win, but it was a hard-fought match and Riverside got us this time. I’m sure we will meet again in the postseason,” said Bassett. 

The Lady Huskies end the regular season on the road with games in Wyoming Indian on Thursday with the JV at 4 and the varsity at 5 p.m. and Saturday in Dubois with JV at
noon and the varsity match at 1 p.m.