Kaiserslautern, Ramstein volleyball sweep opponents

Ramstein server Sierra Karnes delivers the ball as Izzy Coddington, Gigi Stake, Lauren Szczygiel, Ahmarie Young and Libero Lydia Coddington get into position to defend. Photo by Osvaldo Garcia-Carillo

by Robert Baldwin
contributing writer

Kaiserslautern continued its quest to reinvigorate its volleyball program with road victories over Black Forest Academy and Hohenfels in Kandern last weekend. Makenna Zielske’s clutch hitting allowed Kaiserslautern to take the lead in several sets after they had fallen behind early. Co-captain Rebecca Lagares led the Raiders in aces and picked up 20 kill shots. Co-captain Gina Popovic spearheaded the Raiders defense with several key digs at crucial times. Kaiserslautern defeated BFA 25-6, 25-21, 25-14 and Hohenfels 25-18, 25-8, 25-21.

At Lakenheath, revved up by 24 serve aces and a masterful net game, Ramstein swept the Lancers in three sets 25-14, 25-13 and 25-5 to stay undefeated. Sophomore Gigi Stake had 10 aces and senior captain Isabella Coddington added eight.

The Royals relied on an outstanding blend of leadership and talent as everyone on the team contributed to the victory. They attacked the Lancers at the net and spread out their spike attack. Sophomores Ahmarie Young and Sophia Sobczak each recorded six kills, senior Tamiya Bruce had five and Stake had four.

Six conference teams will be tied up with each other this weekend. Kaiserslautern travels to Wiesbaden while Ramstein hosts Stuttgart, Vilseck and Lakenheath.