Published: October 21, 2009 01:16 am      

VOLLEYBALL: Dragons stop C-town in first round

RAMSEY—Silver Creek’s volleyball team began its Class 3A sectional title defense with a 25-9, 25-7, 25-19 victory over Charlestown in first-round play.

The Dragons, who will face host North Harrison in the semifinals on Saturday morning, needed just 58 minutes to dispose of the Pirates.

“I was really pleased with the way everybody played,” Silver Creek coach Jeff Zimmerman said. “Everybody was really into it. You have to be at this time of year or your season will be over.”

Charlestown’s first-year coach Kelsie Thrasher said she believes her team was beaten by the best team in the Sectional 30 field.

“They have a really good chance (of repeating),” Thrasher said. “They have a great team and a great program. They definitely have the challenge and the coaching to win the whole thing.”

Silver Creek led 4-3 early in the first set, then scored six of the next seven points and 16 of the next 18. Leann Osterhaudt served nine straight points, including two aces to get the Dragon lead to 20-6. Brittany Rayborn then served out the set, including an ace to finish out the set.

In the second, Charlestown scored the first point on a kill by Brittany Bennison, but Silver Creek scored the next 14 points — on Kristyn Maymon’s serve — and rolled to the 25-7 set win. Maymon had three aces during the run. Silver Creek finished with 15 aces as a team, led by Kim Jamros’ five.

“We served really well,” Zimmerman added.

In the third set, Charlestown opened with a 10-8 lead. After Silver Creek scored nine straight points, the Pirates fought back to within 23-19 before Samantha Smith finished them off with an ace to end the match.

“We didn’t give up,” Thrasher said. “After those first two sets, it would have been easy to give up. It didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but the chemistry of our team improved this season. Hopefully, it will carry over to next year.”

Silver Creek advanced with a balanced performance. The key, as it has been all season, was the play of setter Danielle Ramser. Ramser had 24 assists to seven different Dragons. Silver Creek had 16 kills from the left side, seven from the middle and five from the right side.

“Danielle does a really good job of dishing the ball out and mixing it up,” Zimmerman said. “She’s our team captain and our leader and she takes care of us.”

Freshman Haley Garr led the Dragons with 10 kills. Maymon added nine, Brittany Rayborn seven, Jamros four and Mollie Hamilton three.

Osterhaudt led Silver Creek with 14 digs and Rayborn had a team-high four blocks.

“We played extremely well in the first two games,” Zimmerman added. “Everyone got some playing time and took advantage of it.”

For Charlestown, Holly Duggins had 12 digs and Jennifer Watson had nine. Bennison led the Pirates with four kills and Ashley Smothers led them with seven blocks. Watson and McKinnah Bussey each had an ace.