BLOOMINGTON - Without the services of their leading hitter, Tiffany Junk, Cassville volleyball coach Megan Copsey knew last Thursday’s Six Rivers West conference match at River Ridge was going to be a little tougher.

Junk injured her ankle the week before, and was seated at the end of the bench in street clothes for Thursday’s match.

In a series that typically has been decided by five games in recent years, went just four, as the host Timberwolves remained unbeaten (5-0) in league play with a 3-1 victory over the Comets (2-3).

Game one saw coach Dianne Langmeier’s squad turn an 11-8 lead into a 25-20 victory, as Traci Kirschbaum and Hillary Taylor teamed up for the game-winning block.

The second game also went to the Timberwolves, 25-13, as they jumped out to leads of 9-2, 15-7 and 21-9.

In the second game though, River Ridge junior Christine Fischer injured her back, and did not return to the floor for game three.

The two teams began the third game going back and forth, but when the Comets broke a 6-6 tie, they led the rest of the way for a 25-15 victory.

With a sense of urgency creeping over them, the Timberwolves put an end to the match with a 25-15 victory of game four.

Claire Webster led River Ridge with 12 kills, while Traci Kirschbaum was close behind with 11, to go along with three blocks.

Chelsey Knapp contributed greatly to her team’s success with 14 digs, while Angie Breuer dished out nine total assists.

Cassville got a team-high eight kills from Harley Anderson and Saige Bierman, while Anderson also added five blocks and three aces to her total. Bierman also finished with a team-high 15 digs.

Dishing out a team-high 12 assists was senior Erin Mergen.

Last Tuesday night, while River Ridge was idle, the Comets suffered a 3-1 loss to visiting Potosi.

Bierman led the Comets with seven kills and four ace serves, while Anderson had eight blocks, Emily Koch 17 digs and Krista Wieseler 15 assists.

River Ridge 3, Cassville 1
(from Thursday, Sept. 15)
Cassville          20    13    25    15
River Ridge    25    25    15    25

Individual leaders
Kills - C: Anderson 8, Bierman 8; RR: Webster 12, Kirschbaum 11. Blocks - C: Anderson 5; RR: Kirschbaum 3. Digs - C: Bierman 15; RR: Knapp 14. Aces - C: Anderson 3; RR: Martin 3. Assists - C: Mergen 12; RR: Breuer 9.