Sandwich takes control, earns win

PLANO--Sandwich volleyball player Jordan Ramos gave a quick analysis of her team after their Tuesday evening match with Plano.

"We've been down before, but we always come back," said the junior setter/hitter. "We're a positive team."

The summary proved accurate in the Interstate Eight Conference opener for both teams. Plano jumped out to early leads in both games, but Sandwich came back on both occasions to post a 25-21, 25-19 win.

The Indians improved to 3-4 overall with the win.

Plano dipped to 0-4 on the young season.

Plano led 19-11 in the opening game when the Indians earned a side-out on a Ramos kill. Ramos then served 11 straight points to put the Indians up 23-19. She also set Nan Darby and Jordan Mager for kills late in the match as Sandwich held on for the win.

The Reapers earned the early momentum in game two by taking advantage of several Sandwich passing errors.

Daisy Urbina served an ace, and Nora Ocon added two more aces, as Plano jumped out to a 9-1 lead.

But, just like the first game, Sandwich came right back. Lefty Alison Schele came in and served three aces, as the Indians eventually evened the score at 12-12. The Reapers never led again, thanks to some solid play by Sandwich.

"The girls were running some of the different plays we've been working on," said Sandwich coach Bryanne Callahan. "They did a good job hitting the ball and finding some gaps."

The Indians also flashed some tight defense on several occasions.

"We came off a bad tournament passing," said Callahan. "You can't execute anything, unless you have that first pass."

Ramos finished with 11 points and five kills for the Indians. Sarah Crothers and Darby added four kills each. Schele served seven points, while Ramos and Stephanie Johnson combined for 20 assists.

Jessica Goldsmith had three kills for Plano, while Olivia Moody added three blocks. Although the Reapers are still searching for their first win of the young season, there have been several bright spots.

"I'm throwing these kids everywhere, and they're making adjustments," said first-year Plano coach Lisa Esmond. "They're getting better, and they're playing hard."

Now, it's just a matter of putting everything together for an entire match.

"There were a lot of errors, and they seemed to be in clumps," said Esmond. "You can't do that. It's a game of momentum." Volleyball: Sandwich def. Plano 25-21, 25-19