Lancers top Syracuse in volleyball

SLIDESHOW: Layton vs Syracuse

SYRACUSE -- Minus two starters, the league-leading Lancers could not afford a misstep Thursday against Syracuse.

Overcoming its typical slow start, Layton High remained undefeated in Region 1 with a 22-25, 25-13, 25-10, 25-22 victory over the Titans in 1 hour and 19 minutes.

Opposite-side hitter Kirstin Teuscher was out with a sprained ligament in her left thumb and middle blocker Abby Weyburn was ill.

"It was different without Kirstin and Abby, so Maddison (Jorgensen) played middle and Camry (Godfrey) played opposite," Lancers outside hitter Nicole Katoa said. "We got the chemistry back in Game 2 and knew what we had to do. It's always disappointing losing Game 1, and we knew we could play better.

"We started out slowly again in Game 1, and we need to pick up the pace," she said. "It was now or never; we knew we had to pick it up."

The defending Region 1 champion Lancers picked up a stomach virus after last weekend's Rocky Mountain Champions Classic in Utah County.

The 17-year-old Katoa got the virus Sunday night.

"I didn't play my very best Tuesday (against Clearfield); I was kind of out of it," she said. "I'm feeling a lot better today."

Katoa had 13 kills, one solo block, three block assists and 24 digs.

"We want to take region again, that's one of our team goals," she said. "Playing outside hitter, you're supposed to be a good defensive player, but there's always room for improvement.

"We heard Syracuse is good and they were," Katoa said. "We expected a tough match and both teams had to work hard. Every match we find things to get better at, and we're improving as we go along. I'm satisfied with the way I played today. Winning is always a plus."

The Lancers' Mariah Katoa had 17 kills, two solo blocks, seven block assists and 10 digs. Maranda Turner had 15 kills, three block assists and 14 digs; setter McKell Wahlen had 40 assists, one kill and nine digs; and Godfrey had two kills, a solo block, four block assists and seven digs for Layton, which had four aces.

The Titans' Kylie Cordon had 15 kills, four digs and three aces. Brittney Martin had 10 kills, one solo block, five digs and two aces; setter Rylee Garver had 23 assists and five digs; and libero Timmarie Taylor had 18 digs for Syracuse, which had 12 aces and 10 service errors.

"This is our best wellness week in the last two weeks and we're still not 100 percent," Syracuse coach Chris Fish said. "But that's no excuse for losing."

4NORTHRIDGE DEF. FREMONT 20-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-23: At Northridge High, the Knights' Kelsey Cate had 13 kills, one solo block, four block assists and seven digs. Candace Clifford had nine kills, one block assist, nine digs and four aces; setter Sierra Hansen had 34 assists, five kills, five block assists, 10 digs and one ace; Larissa Reynolds had six kills, a block assist, 11 digs and two aces; Amanda Gardner had 10 kills and five block assists; Allora Tanner had two kills and five block assists; and libero Becca Hansen had 16 digs for Northridge.

The Silver Wolves' Devyn McFarland had five solo blocks and four block assists; Courtnie Merrill had three solo blocks and eight block assists; and setter Morgan Smith had 34 assists, nine digs and three aces.

4DAVIS DEF. CLEARFIELD 25-4, 25-12, 25-9: At Clearfield, the Darts' Candace Richins had 11 kills; setter Kortnee Webster had 31 assists; Shannon Anderson and Danielle Downs each had six kills; and Janessa Koelliker had six kills, 11 digs and five aces.

The Falcons' Britlie Silvester had two kills and eight service points; Tigist Hale had five kills; and Alayna Ballard had five kills and three service points.

4VIEWMONT DEF. ROY 25-19, 25-16, 25-16: At Bountiful, the Vikings' Kirstin Foster had four kills, one solo block and seven block assists; Kara DeCoursey had six kills, six digs and three aces; Chandler Nelson had six digs and six aces; and setter Katrina Morgan had 20 assists, a solo block and four block assists.

Royals libero Lexi Vigil had 13 digs.

Region 11

4BEN LOMOND DEF. JUDGE MEMORIAL 25-16, 25-20, 25-22: At Ben Lomond High, the Scots' Lindsey James had 14 kills, six digs, one ace and five service points. Teja Mangum had eight kills, two solo blocks and five digs; Briana Barfuss had 12 digs, one ace and eight service points; Kamila Brandley had seven digs, two aces and five service points; setter Cali Dawkins had 28 assists, three digs and five service points; and Taylor Hughes had two kills, four solo blocks and five service points for Ben Lomond.

4BEAR RIVER DEF. GRANTSVILLE 25-23, 15-25, 20-25, 25-15, 16-14: At Garland, the Bears' Kelli Smart had eight kills, nine digs, one ace and eight service points. Mackenzie Williams had eight kills; Kristin Walker had five kills and two solo blocks; Karah Jeppesen had five kills and a block assist; setter Alexa Scoffield had 22 assists and five digs; and libero Kassi Fronk had 14 digs for Bear River.

Region 14

4LAYTON CHRISTIAN DEF. ROWLAND HALL-ST. MARK'S 25-9, 25-13, 25-18: At Salt Lake City, the Eagles' Jasmine Porter had 12 kills, four solo blocks, one block assist and five digs. Kristine Reddington had eight kills and three digs; setter Taelor Scroggins had 34 assists and a dig; Emily Jessop had seven kills; and Melina Bachtar had six kills and four digs for Layton Christian (10-1 overall, 2-0 league), which swept its 10th consecutive win.

Region 17

4CHRISTIAN HERITAGE DEF. SALT LAKE LUTHERAN 25-21, 25-11, 25-18: At Salt Lake City, the Crusaders (8-4, 3-1), swept the Lynx.