Lady 'Cats serve up win over Woodland

Serve receive has been a problem for the Woodland Lady Cardinals this season, and those woes continued on the road against Dexter.

Dexter served up 13 aces and numerous service winners as the Lady Bearcats defeated Woodland, 25-14, 25-13, in a SCAA matchup at home Monday.

"We played better as a team tonight, we talked a lot more, but our serve receive is still getting us in trouble," Woodland coach Mary Kay Stoneking said after the loss "Once we get into the play we do okay, but it's giving away the first free ball that's hurting us. It has been an up and down year."

Dexter was never really challenged, building a 16-9 advantage in game one and a 21-8 lead in game two, as the Lady Bearcats made it two straight SCAA wins and improved to 2-1 in league play, 6-7 overall.

"I'm proud of the girls for a complete team effort," Dexter coach Kris Vandeven stated. "I felt like we started out with the momentum and was able to keep it. With each game I feel like we are working together more as a team."

Vandeven termed her team's effort at the service line as "aggressive" as Brittany Bedford delivered seven aces while the team was charting 13 for the game. Statistics showed the Lady 'Cats committed just four serving errors on the night.

Senior Abbie Warren again paced Dexter at the net with nine kills and four blocks. Elisha Flanigan, McKenzie Mitchell and Lauren Ward each added two kills, while Ward also contributed 12 assists.

"Our goal is to just keep coming together as a team and getting our younger players some experience," Vandeven added. "I am happy with tonight's performance."

Dexter made it a sweep on the night with a 25-23, 25-13 win in the jayvee contest.

Woodland slipped to 3-8 overall and 0-2 in league play with the loss.

The junior varsity Lady 'Cats improved to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference action.

Dexter will next be in action at home Thursday for a varsity-only contest against the always tough Bell City Lady Cubs.