Faith Academy volleyball beats SA Lutheran

CAPTION: The Faith Academy of Marble Falls volleyball players gather in a huddle before starting their match. Photo by Stennis Shotts

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls volleyball team scorched San Antonio Lutheran 25-12, 25-21, 25-15 Sept. 16 in District 4-3A of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.

The Lady Flames (16-6, 1-1) were rarely challenged during the match. And a lot of that had to do with how they stepped on the court.

“I saw tenacity, the girls’ drive to win and to push further,” head coach Erin Sawyer said. “I was very proud of them for coming out strong.”

Lutheran sent several free balls to Faith, and the Lady Flames didn’t waste chances to end rallies early thanks to hitters Ella Claiborne, a sophomore, and Kerrington Silvers, a junior.

Claiborne led with 21 kills, while Silvers had 12.

“They came out ready to play,” Sawyer said.

Sophomore Olivia Kraenzel had 16 assists, while junior Ella Chavira had nine.

“The setters did really well as always,” the coach said. “They did very well. Liv does a a good job. She is a force to be reckoned with. I’d like to utilize her more (as a hitter).”

Senior libero Bosley Kuker had three aces, nine assists, 16 digs and 21 receptions on serve-receive.

“She’s incredible, she’s my senior captain, she’s my leader, she’s very capable,” Sawyer said. “We depend on her to lead the girls, to direct them on where they need to go. She’s my best passer. I think of her as doing a little bit of everything.”

Senior middle blocker Natalie Weems continues to make her presence felt at the net.

“Natalie has always been a good middle blocker,” the coach said. “She’s a good deterrent. She has active hands and moves them well. She’s able to get touches and redirects them.”

Elizabeth Neely moved up from the junior varsity.

“She stepped up and did very well,” Sawyer said.

The Lady Flames will travel to face Waco Live Oak Thursday, Sept. 18, with the junior varsity playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity at 6 p.m.