Broncos off to strong start in 2024

RITZVILLE — The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague volleyball team has begun its journey to return to the 2B state championship game with a 4-0 mark this season, picking up wins over Reardan, Columbia (Burbank), Warden and Davenport to begin the year. 

“It helps that they’re somewhat familiar with playing with one another,” LRS Head Coach Cari Galbreath said. “Our wins, some of them have been a little closer in score, and we were able to just not get too frazzled and were able to still perform under pressure.” 

Five of the six Bronco starters from a season ago returned this season, only replacing one starter at the outside hitter position. Having experience with one another on the court this season has helped the Broncos through their non-league slate, though there is still plenty of rust to be shaken off. 

“They’re familiar with who covers what, (or) this person is better at this type of ball, or ‘I know she’ll do this type of thing,’” Galbreath said. “That helps, but we still are getting back into the groove of volleyball – defensively, and those type of skills we need to fine-tune quite a bit.” 

LRS started the season with 3-0 sweeps of Reardan, Columbia and Warden – where the Broncos found themselves down 11-0 in the first set against the Cougars – with the three games being played in a four-day window Sept. 7-10. 

“It was tough, and I think mentally exhausting for them,” Galbreath said. “But I think it showed some strength that they were able to persevere and come out on top of those matches, even though they didn’t play their best.” 

Its most recent win came Sept. 12, going on the road to face off against rival Davenport; the Gorillas handed LRS its first loss after a 13-0 start to the 2023 season, and made it tough on the Broncos yet again in this season’s meeting. LRS won the match 3-2. 

“It’s always an emotional game, they definitely have a home-court advantage; it’s a fun place to play at, for sure,” Galbreath said. “We do struggle there, and we got off to a rough start.” 

With non-league games now in the rearview mirror, the Broncos are starting to come into form with only Northeast 2B games remaining on the regular season schedule. LRS traveled to Asotin on Thursday night, but scores were not available in time for press deadline. They return home to host Colfax on Tuesday. 

“We’re really trying to be more engaged and cleaning up the little things,” Galbreath said. “Pushing each other on a daily basis so we can continue to fine-tune so we can do more things in a cleaner way.” 

Galbreath noted senior Madisyn Cameron at libero, junior Zoe Galbreath at setter and junior Saige Galbreath at middle blocker as standouts through the first four games, as well as the team’s outside hitters in junior Hannah Towne and sophomore Allesandra Mendez. 

“I think it shows some growth,” Galbreath said. “I think my outside hitters are my least experienced players, so to see them keep getting improved and keep growing in their game and situational plays, it’s exciting.” 

    Bronco junior Saige Galbreath serves the ball at last season’s 2B State Volleyball Tournament in Yakima.
  

    LRS junior Zoe Galbreath, left, jumps up to spike the ball over the net during last season’s state championship game against Manson.