By Richard Smith
Twitter: @rsmithYWV

The inconsistent play that has defined Liberty's time in 6A girls volleyball remains in coach Ashley Leparulo's first season — but the Lions are slowly getting more reliable.

Liberty (7-4 regular season as of Oct. 16) swept #7 Chandler Hamilton earlier this season, yet dropped the first set of its Oct. 16 road match at No. 22 Mountain Ridge (8-16 overall, 4-9 regular season as of Oct. 16).

But after failing to finish the opening set after grabbing a 24-22 lead, the visitors put their foot down. Liberty ended up with a four-set win by the score of 25-27, 25-16, 25-9, 25-20.

"We worked really hard at practice yesterday. And I told them it's not enough to work hard at practice. At some point it has to transfer over into the game," Leparulo said. "Some of my seniors are starting to feel the pressure a little bit with their careers coming to an end."

While the Mountain Lions only start one senior (Jordan Kress) and sometimes rotates in a second, they are feeling a bit of pressure too — simply to make the play-in round games for 6A volleyball on Oct. 31 (teams ranked 9-24 play in this round).

Junior middle hitter Madison Girnius picked up a kill and a block late in the first set. Fellow junior middle Alissa Uhlenhop led the way with four kills, an ace and a block as the home team wiped out a 13-6 deficit.

"We continually work on our consistency as a team and as individual players.  When we play our game with that disciplined consistency, we can be a string contending team against any opponent," Mountain Ridge coach Annie Williams said.

The second set was tight until Liberty senior middle Gracie Newbern took over with three kills and two service aces. In that sequence, the visitors build their lead from 11-10 to 20-11.

"Gracie is staring to hone in on those skills. she makes one error and then she adjust so she doesn't the next time up,"

Liberty semior outside hitter Justine Fernandez ended the third set rout with three aces.

"Justine rolled her ankle two weeks ago and was out two matches. I think that to have to sit and watch gave her a new hunger to be back and helping," Leparulo said.

One issue the Mountain Lions face is their trouble generating an attack to the outside. Their three best hitters are also busy at middle blocker — Unlenhop (134 kills) and Girnius (78 kills) or setter — Kress (94 kills).

"Jordan is an incredibly dynamic player.  We are always strategizing  to utilize players in order for us to be effictive both offensively and defensively.  So there are times when we need more power in our hitters and can depend on Jordan to bring her powerful swing. There are also times when it is important to utilize our big middles with a quicker offense and Jordan can deliver as her role of setter this year as well," Williams stated.

The home team played far more competitive volleyball in the fourth set, but senior right side Brooklyn Casey’s attack (five kills) and Fernandez’s serve (three more aces)

Casey was the Lions consistent attacking focal point. leading all players with 18 kills.

"All of our hitters have to be like that outside," Leparulo said.

Mountain Ridge remains in the #22 ranking in 6A and should be in line for an Oct. 31 road play in game.

Team goals are always to be better today than we were yesterday.  That being said we aspire to take as many games and  matches from the ones we have left this season," Williams stated.

Leparulo's hope of a region title likely was dashed by subsequent losses to Scottsdale Chaparral and O'Connor.

But the #15 Lions still can host a play-in game and keep taking steps up the big school ladder.

"They are realizing all of the cylinders have to be firing. Offense has to be on with our defense. You can't take a night off against 6A competition," Leparulo said.