LAPEL–It is no accident that the recent renaissance of Lapel volleyball has coincided with the arrival of Isabel Anderson three years ago. Since she joined the team as a freshman, the Bulldogs have averaged 20 wins per season and are well on their way to reaching that level again.
Over the weekend, Anderson reached the 1000 career assist plateau, only the second Lapel player to reach that milestone in recent history. Wednesday night, during a home match with Frankton, she was honored for that achievement. She responded by first shyly accepting the recognition before setting a new career high with 35 assists to aid the Bulldogs to another victory.
Sophomore Makynlee Taylor had six of her nine kills and all three of her blocks in the first set to spark a Lapel comeback and pave the way for the Bulldogs to knock off Frankton, 25-16, 25-15, 22-25, 25-12.
Trailing 7-3, and with leading hitter Emily Eppert struggling early on, Taylor stepped up. She put away both passes from Anderson and a pair of free balls to start a 9-1 run to boost the Bulldogs into the lead. Head coach Hilary Eppert said her progression this season has been exciting to watch.
“We’ve talked early in the season about playing the total game,” coach Eppert said. “She’s stepped up in that way. She still sees herself primarily as a hitter, and she should. But overall, confidence is a big thing for her, she finally believes she can do this.”
Taylor was one of five Bulldogs with five or more kills, something that is becoming a regularity for Lapel (12-3). Emily Eppert got her game going late, leading the way with 11 kills while senior Taylor Murdock and sophomore Delany Peoples matched Taylor’s total of nine. Sophomore Zoe Freer added five.
The common thread for those hitters is the passing of Anderson, the key player for the Bulldogs, both for her athletic ability and her volleyball IQ.
“She is just a difference maker,” coach Eppert said. “She’s an athlete, she’s smart, she makes plays. But, most importantly, she sets our hitters up for success. That’s her job, and she does it really well.”
Anderson deflected the praise, giving credit to her teammates, something she also does very well.
“Our passing tonight was on point,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to get 1000 assists if it wasn’t for my passers and I wouldn’t be able to get 1000 assists if it wasn’t for my hitters.”
Anderson joins a former teammate, 2017 graduate Riley Gill, and someone whom she shared setting duties with the last two years with 1000 career assists.
“We set with each other my freshman and sophomore years,” Anderson said. “We’ve gotten so close and I learned so much from her, I’m glad to share it with her.”
As the primary setter for the team the remainder of this year and next year, could 2000 be within reach?
“I’ll work on it,” Anderson said.
The Bulldogs open Madison County Tournament action tonight at Madison-Grant. They will play the host Argylls and Elwood in pool play before bracket play takes place Saturday morning in Elwood.