Lind-Ritzville stops Warden in season opener

by Derrick Pacheco<br
| September 10, 2009 9:00 PM

WARDEN — The Warden girls volleyball team got off to a slow start Tuesday night as Lind-Ritzville overcame a game-one loss to knock off the Cougars 3-1 to open the season.

The Cougars took an early advantage over Lind-Ritzville, holding on for a 25-23 victory at home to start the season on a positive note.

Warden head coach Jeff Kottong said his team played well in their first game of the season.

“We played really well in the first game,” he said. “I think the adrenaline was flowing for us.”

The Cougars return just two starters from last years team and Kottong said the match with Lind-Ritville was an opportunity for his inexperienced team to come together.

“We graduated seven seniors and only have two returning starters,” he said. “It was a good learning experience for us.”

Although Warden won their first game of the season, the Cougars couldn’t maintain the momentum on their home court.

Lind-Ritzville took the second game of the contest 25-19 to pull even with Warden before rallying to take the third game 25-21. Warden led late in game three before the Broncos raced out to the victory, Kottong said.

“We were up with about five points left in the third game,” he said. “We just couldn’t hold on.”

Despite dropping games two and three by a combined 10 points, Warden struggled in the fourth game of the night, dropping a 25-14 decision. Lind-Ritzville took the game and the match from Warden and Kottong said he saw room for improvement in his team.

“It was disappointing to lose, but it was our first match,” he said. “We saw the potential we have and it is a matter of working hard and getting everything put together.”

Although his team fell 3-1 to Lind-Ritzville, Kottong was proud of his team’s effort.

“Overall, I was pleased with the girls,” he said. “They worked hard. We have a great group of kids.”?Warden’s Kacey Kisler led the Cougars at the net with eight kills and Emma Bisnet was 15-of-16 serving with three aces. Lindsay Cole was 20-of-21 serving with three aces while providing 18 assists and eight digs.