McHenry, MD – The Garrett College women's volleyball team was perfect in the first set of Friday night's match against visiting Baltimore City Community College.
Literally perfect.
As in, 25-0 perfect.
GC freshman Brookelyn Keller opened the match with a point-winning kill and then served the final 24 points of the opening set. Her performance – which included match highs in both aces (10) and digs (six) - sparked the Lady Lakers to a 25-0, 25-12, and 25-12 sweep over BCCC.
"I was actually very nervous," said Keller. "I suddenly looked up and it was 18-0. I was like, 'Oh, my gosh, please don't miss the serve – I'm almost there.' "
Every Lady Laker had at least one ace and one kill in Garrett's dominating performance. In the process, GC won its first conference match and notched its second overall victory of the season as the Lady Lakers continue their rebuild from last year's 0-18 campaign.
"It definitely is a good feeling, especially with the attitudes these girls have and how committed they are to the team," said second-year GC head coach Brittany Jackson. " I'm proud of them for how they're sticking it out. They're still fighting and they're still working hard."
Keller opened the second set with an ace and BCCC was called for a four-hit violation as the streak reached 27 consecutive points. The Panthers pulled within 4-3 on a winning service return by Lakira Morris, but GC responded with a 6-1 run that included consecutive aces from Sadie Portillo (five aces, five digs) to stretch the lead to 10-4.
Baltimore City was still within six points at 15-9 when the Lady Lakers went on a 7-1 scoring splurge. Daphne Harman and Aiyana Yoder each had aces during that run as GC broke the set wide open.
Harman finished with a team-high seven kills while Yoder – who is showing dramatic improvement as she adjusts to a middle hitter role – added five.
"I'm definitely feeling better in the middle after playing outside [hitter] last year," said Yoder. "I think Alex [Wolf – match-high 15 assists] is doing a really good job setting. That's helping a lot – I can read her sets."
BCCC's Morris opened the third set with an ace, giving the Panthers their first lead of the night. The Lady Lakers, however, answered with four straight points that included a Wolf tip, a Harman kill, a Keller ace, and a Yoder block in the middle.
GC, leading 11-5, took control of the third set with a 10-1 run that included four Portillo aces. The last of Garrett's 20 aces was delivered by Yoder on match point to lock up the win.
"We played well – especially in the first set," said Yoder. "We really had good communication."
Notes: Cecil College swept GC, 25-9, 25-17, and 25-11, Saturday during a tri-match at Cecil. Howard Community College swept the Lady Lakers, 25-10, 25-11, and 25-11, as GC fell to 2-7.
