The Pen High Lakers senior girls volleyball team returned from their Christmas break by enduring a 41-38 loss to the Mount Boucherie Bears.
Coach Chris Terris said his players played a spirited game, particularly at the defensive end led by grade 12 Maxine Chapman who battled the top scorer all night. Emily Clarke led the way offensively with 12 points and six rebounds. Annie Plant added eight points and Kelsey DesRoches had six points and six rebounds.
“We’ve had a tough start health wise,” said Terris. “We’ve only had one practice and one game all season with all 11 girls healthy and available. It’s made it hard to build any continuity.” The team has tournaments at M.E.I. (Abbotsford) this weekend and K.S.S. at the end of the month. The next home game is Jan. 15 against Rutland at 6 p.m.
“Max Chapman really set the tone with her intensity and hustle at the defensive end,” said Terris. “Her effort became contagious and we had our best defensive effort of the year. While we continue to develop offensively, we’ve really preached the need to compete every night at the defensive end. Tonight was a great start in that department.”
