LAPEL–The importance of a fast start is not lost on Lapel volleyball coach Hilary Eppert. With her daughter spearheading the charge, the Bulldogs jumped on Anderson Wednesday night and cruised to their 16th win of the season.

Emily Eppert led all players with 12 kills, four coming during an 8-1 run to open the match, as Lapel knocked off Anderson 25-9, 25-23, 25-17.

With the win, Lapel improves to 16-4 while Anderson falls to 4-10.

“We talked to (team) about not coming out flat, which we sometimes can do,” coach Eppert said. “(Anderson) played tough and came back in the second set, they took us to task. I’m glad we pulled that one out.”

Emily Eppert kept attacking throughout the match as well as defending, with several key digs and successful receives of service along the back row. She had one of her better matches of the year, despite nursing a sore knee and ankle.

“Ice on the knee is a constant and the ankle is sore, I’m sure,” coach Eppert said. “She is overall a good player, she excels as a hitter, but in general she is a good all-around player.”

The seniors made their presence felt for Lapel as well. Taylor Murdock recorded three of her four blocks in the first set and altered many Anderson swings while Camryn Carpenter served up six aces and several long scoring runs for the Bulldogs.

Junior Isabel Anderson had 22 assists for Lapel. The Bulldogs will host Madison County champion and Class 2A #6 Alexandria Thursday evening. Fans attending the game are encouraged to bring canned and paper goods, which will be donated to Hurricane Harvey relief in Houston.

In the junior varsity match, Lapel defeated Anderson in three sets, 25-9, 21-25, 15-6. Freshman Katie Lehman had seven aces and seven assists and freshman Lily Daniels recorded six kills and five assists. Sophomore Karlie Hutton added five kills for the Bulldogs and freshman Lexi Swanson had two blocks.