DALLAS, TX – Maddie Smotherman reached an elite career milestone with her 1,500th dig in last night's thrilling five-set victory over Nolan Catholic. Smotherman, a four-year varsity player and Texas Tech commit, has been a cornerstone of the Bishop Lynch volleyball program since 2021.
The Friars faced a tough challenge, coming back twice after trailing by a set to the visiting Vikings. Ava Wennerstrom's career-best performance played a key role in the win. The senior recorded a match-high and career-high 17 kills, the only Friar to reach double digits in kills in the game.
Bishop Lynch's defensive effort was crucial to the victory, with four players recording ten or more digs. Maia Raleigh led the team with 18 digs, followed closely by Aven Crosby (17), Maddie Smotherman (14), and Jenna Westemeier (12). Raleigh also secured her fifth double-double of the season with a team-high 28 assists and 18 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 | Nolan Catholic started strong, winning the first set 25-20. The Vikings dominated on the serve, recording five aces, while the Friars had five serving errors. That 10-point swing was enough for the Vikings to take the early lead. Both teams had 11 kills, but Bishop Lynch had a slight edge in hitting percentage, .200 to .182.
SET 2 | The Friars responded in the second set, winning 25-20 to even the match at one set apiece. They drastically improved their serving, allowing no aces and committing just one error. Wennerstrom shone in this set, recording six kills and two digs.
SET 3 | The Vikings came out swinging in the third set, notching a match-high 13 kills on .216 hitting. Defensively, they were sharp, collecting 22 digs as a team which helped them claim the set 25-22.
SET 4 | Facing elimination, senior captain Aven Crosby rose to the occasion. She recorded seven of her nine kills in the fourth set alone, hitting an impressive .750. Crosby also contributed four digs, helping the Friars win 25-20 and force a decisive fifth set.
SET 5 | In the winner-take-all final set, the Friars edged out the Vikings, outhitting them 10-9. Charlotte Wells and Wennerstrom each contributed three kills, while Crosby and Raleigh anchored the defense with six digs apiece, sealing the 15-11 set win and the 3-2 match victory.
Bishop Lynch Match Leaders:
Kills: Ava Wennerstrom – 17
Assists: Maia Raleigh – 28
Digs: Maia Raleigh – 18
Blocks: Maddie Pflum – 3
Aces: Emma Poff – 3
SUB-VARSITY
It was a great night for Bishop Lynch as all four teams swept Nolan Catholic. The JV1 and Freshman teams each won 2-0, while the JV2 team secured a thrilling 2-1 victory.
NEXT UP:
Bishop Lynch volleyball will host its annual "Future Friar Night" next Tuesday, September 17, when they face Trinity Christian Academy at 6:00 p.m. All K-8th grade students are invited to attend the match and join Club Friar. Here is Club Friar link - https://www.bishoplynch.org/club-friar
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