By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Ruston High (15-10) swept Pineville (11-8) 3-0 on Tuesday, winning 25-14, 25-9 and 25-9 and never trailing by more than a point in the match.
The Lady Bearcats won 75 points to Pineville’s 32 overall and finished with 39 kills, 16 aces and six blocks. Pineville had six kills, no aces and no blocks in the match.
Pineville called a timeout in each of the first two sets, at 10-3 in the first and 10-4 in the second, and Ruston went on to win both sets by double digits. The Lady Bearcats opened the third set on a 5-0 run and never trailed in it.
Freshman outside hitter Lily Bissell led Ruston with eight kills and five aces and added seven digs, while freshman outside hitter Josie Cauley and senior middle hitter Kayden Walker each had seven kills, and senior middle hitter Ava Crowe had six.
Senior setter Baylor Cauley ran the offense with 24 assists along with 12 digs and three aces. Junior setter Bridget Crittenden had five assists, and junior libero Ellie Williams had three assists and 12 digs. Junior middle hitter Addie Powell led the team with four block credits.
Ruston High head coach Mandy Cauley said she was pleased with how the team handled using different lineups.
“I couldn’t ask for really anything better from the girls,” Cauley said. “They all pitched in and did a great job. We used three different lineups in three different sets, and we kept the energy and the momentum the whole time.”
Cauley said that depth gives the Lady Bearcats a plan if something changes.
“I like that we have depth and diversity because you never know what’s going to happen,” Cauley said. “If anything happens in the future, we’re not caught off guard. We have different people who can do different things and keep the momentum. I’m very proud of that.”
She also praised her hitters. Cauley said Walker is “really smart with her placement.” Of Bissell, she said: “Lily is so consistent on the service team, and she has such a powerful arm, so it’s good to see her be diverse, too.” Cauley also said Crowe “has really found her sweet spot” at outside hitter on the floor.
Freshman Bess Cotton, who had one kill and one block credit, also drew attention from her coach after subbing in for senior Jane Ramsey at the very end.
“She came in and immediately had a big block, and she jumps so high,” Cauley said of Cotton. “The ceiling for her is so high. Any reps we can give her to find her confidence, her momentum and her rhythm with the setters, it’s a great opportunity.”
