Royal volleyballers start season with a comeback

ROYAL CITY – For one game against Cle Elum last week, the Royal High volleyball team looked like the Knights of old, falling 11-25.

Then the Knights went on a volleyball tear not often seen around here. They stopped Cle Elum, 25-22, 25-17, 25-17 to take the opening match of the season 3-1 in games.

“They were a bit excited to get to play again, and that led to the first-game loss,” coach Paul Olsufka said.

The excitement continued Saturday against Highland. The Royal girls won 25-10, 25-20, 25-15 to run their early season record 2-0.

“The Girls played well throughout the Highland match, battled back in the second to take the win,” Olsufka said . “Their incentive was to be done in three games.”

Veteran Lindsey Small led the way against Cle Elum. She was good on 22 of her 23 serves, and the team scored 15 points while she was serving. Her serving included two aces.

On defense, the second team all-league performer from last year contributed seven digs and three blocks.

“Lindsey had an over all good night,” Olsufka said.

Lizzi Miller went 15-16 serving and slammed three aces with 10 points scored off her serving. She produced four digs on defense.

“Once she settled down, Lizzi played well at the net,” Olsufka said.

Jacie Phillips served 8-8 with three aces, and seven points were scored off her serving. Savanna Buster also went 8-8 with one ace and seven points off her serving.

“Alyx Ziegler set well all night, made smart decisions throughout the match with her sets and dumps over the net,” Olsufka said.

Olsufka saw good team chemistry on the court. He said players talking with each other helped, after the first game.

“Passing improved throughout the night,” Olsufka said.

But Olsufka was not surprised. He saw it coming throughout fall practices. He said bursting energy from the seniors and juniors inspired the underclassmen.

“It made workouts more competitive, bringing about a new spirit,” he said.

Olsufka has seven seniors and four juniors to lead the program. The seniors are middle blocker Small, outside hitter Araceli Barragan, outside hitter Taylor Freeman, libero Allison Joslin, outside hitter-middle blocker Lizzi Miller, libero Jacie Phillips and opposite Ashley Valle.

The juniors are setter Alyx Ziegler, middle blocker McDarra VonStein, outside hitter Savannah Buster and opposite Rielli Klefbeck.

In the match with Highland, Small was a leader once again. She connected on 20-21 serves with two aces, and the team scored 14 points while she was serving. She added three kills on offense and one block on defense.

Ashley Valley was good on 15 of 15 serves with two aces and 10 points scored. She knocked down four kills and put up two assists.

Lizzi Miller went 8-8 serving with two aces and four points. She led the team with five kills. McDarra VonStein made four blocks and one kill.

Alyx Ziegler went 8-9 serving and put up 13 assists. Taylor Freeman served 6-6 with an ace and one kill. Savanna Buster had one kill.

“Passing has been good, which allows the girls an opportunity to get kill attempts,” Olsufka said.

Olsufka noted strong play by middle blockers Small and

VonStein. He added that Ziegler is setting the ball well, allowing the hitters to get good swings.

“Lizzi is seeing the ball well and getting to show what she can do

on the outside with her swings,” Olsufka said.

The knights will learn this week just how much they have improved. They travel to Kion-Benton tonight and host Warden on Thursday.