Calvary downs Ridgewood

Calvary played the Ridgewood Baptist Rams tonight at Calvary's home gym at Lake Hills Baptist. Ridgewood is a perennially strong team, and their record coming in, 13-3-1, indicated that this year was no exception. Their two big hitters from last year returned, Dominique Stegall and Christen Johnson, so we knew their offense would be strong.

After a slow start by the Patriots, Ridgewood made a few mistakes, Jessi S had a big hit, and Calvary gradually pulled ahead, 14-8. Then the girls' offense really kicked in. A hit by Faith. Another hit by Jessi. After giving up a point, Faith got another one. And another one. Then, a big block by Faith. Now it was 18-9. Calvary kept an eight- or nine-point lead until 22-14. Then the girls relaxed a bit and Ridgewood scored three. Taylor stopped their run with a kill, and Faith followed with two more to finish up a 25-17 first game.

The second game saw the Patriots fall behind 7-5 early on, but a rally which included a couple of kills by Jessi S sandwiched around a kill by Taylor, put the girls ahead 13-8. The five point lead was maintained until a block by Faith followed by ace by Taylor (leading ace server among all high schools in the northwest Indiana region) and a kill by Kara opened the lead up to 20-12. After an exchange of points, Ridgewood got a little run going and pulled to within 21-17. Another run by our girls put them ahead 24-18, but couldn't get the final point until they gave two to Ridgewood. Final score of game 2: 25-20.

Apparently there wasn't enough suspense in the first two games for the girls, because in the third game, Ridgewood took the lead at 3-2 and kept it. For a while, anyway. Due to some indifferent play by the Patriots and some good defense by Ridgewood, the Rams gradually widened the lead until it was 20-13. The Patriots ran off four straight points including a nice block by Kara, then gave up two. Calvary got those two back before Ridgewood scored again, making the score 23-20, Ridgewood. Faith then put one down, followed by Rachel, and after the Patriots got one more, it was tied at 23. Then it was back and forth. Ridgewood scored, then Calvary, then Ridgewood, then Calvary. At 25-all Faith had a big hit, then the Patriots closed it out on the next point, and sent home the Rams fans disappointed.

The varsity is now 22-1. Next Tuesday the girls are at First Baptist of Mishawaka. Then the Quentin Road tournament. If you can make it, be there. Especially be there for the second pool play game ;-)