Cougars claw way to victory

WARDEN - The Warden Lady Cougars hosted the Columbia-Burbank Coyotes in volleyball action Thursday night for senior night.

Eight graduating Lady Cougars seniors and their parents were honored before the match.

Warden used the emotion from the night to win in five games. The Lady Cougars won the first two games 25-20 and 27-25 to earn a 2-0 advantage.

Columbia-Burbank responded with a 25-19 win in game three and a 25-20 win in game four.

With the match on the line, the Lady Cougars rallied and won the deciding game 15-4.

In the first game of the match, the Lady Cougars jumped out to a 10-1 lead before stalling.

Warden allowed Columbia-Burbank to get back in the game. The two teams were tied at 12-12, 13-13 and again at 19-19.

With the score tied late in game one, the Wardens girls rallied to earn the 25-20 win.

The second game of the match was a serving battle with each side exchanging points through the first six.

The Coyotes grabbed the serve, scoring five unanswered points.

The Lady Cougars dug deep and went on a run, tying the game at 18-18. Warden then took the lead at 19-18.

Columbia-Burbank fought back and tied the game at 24-24. The Lady Cougars would reclaim the lead at 25-24 before the Coyotes would tie it at 25-25.

Warden held strong, scoring the final two points of the match for the 27-25 victory.

Columbia-Burbank put the brakes on Warden's momentum by jumping out to a 9-3 lead in the third game of the match.

The Lady Cougars would tie the game at 11-11.

A battle at the net ensued with each team scoring towards a 19-19 tie.

Columbia-Burbank then went on a six-point run before finishing off the game 25-19.

The Coyotes looked to carry their momentum into game four, staying on top of the Lady Cougars through the first 16 points.

With the match on the line, the Coyotes won the game 25-20.

Down but not out, the Lady Cougars entered game five energized and looking to take advantage of the home court senior night provided.

Warden scored the first four points before Columbia got on the board for a 4-1 Warden lead.

The Lady Cougars dominated the fifth game, running out to a 15-4 lead to win the match in five games.

Warden coach Jeff Kottong said the game was great and it came at the right time with the postseason around the corner.

"We had to win, and the girls knew it," Kottong said. "We played a real scrappy team."

Junior Emma Bisnett had 11 kills and three blocks. Senior Cassandra Kisler added four kills and 18 digs.

Junior Kacey Kisler had six kills, three aces and 17 digs in the victory.