Bombers Bounce Lions - by Kaylin Pumphrey

    After coming off a tough loss to Kamiakan last week, the Bombers played Kennewick and came out on top, winning 3-0.

    Coming off of not having their starting setter Senior Kelli Ostboe, Junior Addison Schow is left to take on the responsibility of the starting setter. The Lions’ Junior middle Emily Kaylor went on a five-point serving run to make the score 5-0. Richland had a slow start to this set, struggling with their serve receive, costing them point after point. They found their fire, though, and came back to win their first set 25-19. 

Addison Schow with a serve against the Lions. Photo courtesy of Madison Maxwell (RHS Yearbook)

    After the Bombers fought their way to win the first set, they came in hot and energetic to start set two. Junior Gracie Moss and Senior Kenzie Nealon were hot on the net, helping RHS with blocks and spikes to get them on the board and put them ahead as this set started. Kenzie Nealon helped get the Bombers on a seven-point serving run. This run gave Richland confidence going into the end of the set. While communication was a struggle when it came to their serve receive, this didn’t let the Bombers lose their confidence. Addison Schow helped her team win their set with a three-point serving run. 

    To enter the final set, the Bombers had the mentality that they had this game and this last set was going to be as easy as the first two, but that didn’t end up being the case. 

    While the Bombers had a great first two sets, the third set wasn’t what anyone in the crowd expected. The set started with Kennewick getting a big lead on Richland, making not only the players worried but the crowd scared for the outcome of this set. 

    The resilient group from RHS had other plans for Kennewick. With Senior Ella Carrick and Senior Cassidy Ashbeck being quick on the net to help the Bombers get on the board, this set quickly became neck and neck. With the score being 23-24 and the crowd worried the Lions would take this set, the Lady Bombers had to work some magic. Junior defensive specialist Malia Haynes felt the stress during this set, “It was stressful as a team, but we stayed aggressive, and it helped us come back on top.”  

Kenzie Nealon with the kill against Kennewick.

    The score is now 26-25 and the Richland girls are gaining momentum, confident that they will get this last point to take this set and win the game. The game point was on the line, but after a big rally and a hard-fought volley between both teams, the Bombers came back to win the set 27-25. “This is a win that we needed as a team and the way that we needed to play,” said Senior Ella Carrick about the bounce-back win. 

    Richland takes on Walla Walla tomorrow, 9/27, against a 3-4 overall team. Walla walla has lost to both Kamiakin and Chiwanna this year.

Addison Schow with the serve.