Knights need five to top Thunderbirds

Colony hosted the East Thunderbirds Thursday night in a volleyball match that featured the Knights' powerful hitting attack against the superb blocking defense of the Thunderbirds.

The determined Knights used all five games to come back and take the match by scores 15-7, 4-15, 13-15, 15-8, and 15-3.

"In the second and third game, we started tipping shots instead of using our strength, which is power," said Colony coach Bryce Ray. "We started hitting again in the fourth game."

Colony took command of the first game from the beginning, jumping out to a 10-1 lead with excellent tips and hard shots from the front line.

East began to edge its way back into the game, cutting the lead 10-4 before Colony's Lindsey Krupa stopped the charge with a high-flying slam for a side out to return the serve to the Knights.

Colony moved ahead 12-6 on a quick tip by Kathryn Hermon over the head of East blockers.

After a Stephanie Deml slam made the score 13-6, the Knights went up 14-6 following a long volley of great digs and excellent hustle by both teams before Krupa pounded a shot no Thunderbird could return. Deml accumulated 19 kills in the match and Krupa added 10.

Colony scored again moments later to close the game 15-7.

The teams reversed their performance in the second game as East jumped out to an 11-3 lead. The Thunderbirds finished the game quickly, winning 15-4.

East moved to an early 7-2 lead in the third game, but Colony charged back to tie the score 8-8 with good hitting to find holes on East's side.

Colony slowly moved ahead 10-8 amid several side outs by both teams. Deml slammed for a side out at 9-8 and Chelayne Dukart smashed two shots for side outs at 10-8.

Colony went up 12-10 before East charged to take a 13-12 lead with good blocking and hitting.

A fine tip by Dana Sparrs that fell between East players tied the game at 13-13, but East applied the pressure with solid returns and took game three 15-13.

Deml demonstrated Colony's resilience in the first volley of game four when East returned a soft floater across the net that Deml pounded back for a side out.

The Knights took the early 7-3 lead with Krupa serving and teaming with Sparrs and Dukart to set up Colony returns. Krupa and Dukart each had 29 digs in the match.

East charged back to tie the game at 7-7, but a timely Dukart tip over East blockers stopped the rally and returned the serve to Colony.

Colony forged ahead to repeatedly score points off pounding shots by Krupa and Dukart.

A great diving dig by Megan Larson kept the volley alive for a Krupa slam to make the score 11-8.

Krupa finished the game with a shot to the open back corner of the East court to give Colony the 15-8 win in game four and force a winner-take-all fifth game.

The momentum had now shifted back to Colony and the Knights took full advantage of it, applying constant pressure to take the fifth game 15-3 and win the match.

Colony's solid serving behind Sparrs and Deml kept East receivers off balance while the Knight front line relentlessly pounded shots for points. Deml served six aces in the match.

During a pre-match ceremony, Colony honored its senior volleyball members with flowers and recognition of their dedication to Colony volleyball.

"It was a good night for the seniors," said Ray. "There have been a lot of changes in our program this year and the girls stuck with me to make it successful."