The Bristol Eastern girls volleyball team has had an iron grip on the city series against Bristol Central, but it almost slipped way on Thursday evening inside the Charles C. Marsh Gymnasium at Bristol Central High School.
The Rams captured sets two and three to claim a 2-1 lead over the Lancers. Eastern was in trouble, but found something in reserve against Central and claimed a 3-2 victory. The Lancers improved to 10-0 while the Rams fell to 8-2. The set scores from the match were 25-22, 27-29, 23-25, 25-18, 15-10.
Zoe Lowe had 17 kills, 22 digs and two aces in a big evening for Eastern. Ryley Plourde tallied 17 kills, seven digs and three aces while Sage Scarritt put up 10 kills, five digs and two aces. Leah Chipman had three kills, 49 assists, 12 digs and four aces while Hannah Webber added seven kills, four blocks and five digs.
Emily Ericson had 18 kills, 10 digs, three aces and three blocks to pace Central. Jaydn Bauer logged 11 kills, six aces and eight digs and Brooke Soucy had 36 digs. Gwen Torreso recorded 32 assists, 17 digs and two aces while Kayle St. Onge added four kills, three aces and five digs.
Eastern led the second set, 17-8, but Central made a wild comeback and got back into it. The Rams won that set, then the third set, to claim a 2-1 lead. The Lancers jumped out to leads of 15-5 and 18-10 in the fourth set. Central rallied back to within 23-18, but Eastern closed the set. In the fifth set, the Lancers snatched the first four points. The Rams pulled close again, but the visitors claimed an 11-10 lead and closed the set and match from there.
Eastern and Central could meet again in the CCC Region B postseason experience.
