Hubbard avenges earlier defeat to Lakeview

The Eagles defeated their TAC rival in three games.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CORTLAND -- Corrie Gasser had 36 assists, nine points and 13 digs, while Callie Oyler added 11 points, 10 digs, seven kills and five aces, and Maggie Bogdon registered 11 blocks and eight kills as Hubbard High defeated Lakeview, 25-14, 26-24, 25-21 in a Trumbull Athletic Conference volleyball match Tuesday.
The Eagles, ranked No. 10 in this week's Division II poll, avenged an earlier defeat to the Bulldogs at home, and improved to 13-2 overall and 8-1 in the TAC.
The Bulldogs (14-2, 7-2), ranked No. 8, had their seven-game win streak come to an end as they fell to 14-2 overall and 7-2 in the TAC.
"We were excellent defensively tonight. Anyone could have won games two and three, but we made a statement in game one and that kind of set the tone of the match," Hubbard coach Chuck Montgomery said.
"Somebody always seemed to make the big play for us tonight and that is the sign of good teamwork," he added.
"After losing to them at our place, I was more than a little worried coming into this game. To win 3-0 sends a statement to the rest of the state about our program."
Fast start
The Eagles got out of the gate fast, building a 20-5 lead in game one on five points each by Oyler and Gasser. The Bulldogs never got closer than 23-13.
"This is a game of inches and emotions and we just didn't match their intensity in game one," Lakeview coach Scott Taylor said. "That put us behind the eight ball and with a team that is playing as well as Hubbard is right now, it was tough to play catch up.
"We have opposing philosophies on how to win. [Chuck] has a defensive philosophy and mine is an offensive philosophy. When the offense isn't there, the defense is there to pick up any slack."
Lauren Ferguson had six points in game two as Hubbard overcame an early 9-7 deficit to score four of the last five points.
"Our players played with plenty of intensity tonight and that is a tribute to our kids. To come to their gym and win all three games is a testimonial to their play. We recently won the Columbus Tournament and our own tournament so we have been playing pretty well. Our defense was definitely the key to this win," Montgomery said.
In the final game, Kimberly Budd's five points and Gasser's three points helped the Eagles overcome an 18-16 deficit.
"Scott Taylor does a great job with his team and they are an excellent club," Montgomery said. "We just made a lot of big plays tonight, however."
Taylor noted, "Montgomery started everything around here when he took over the Hubbard program. Everyone started chasing his program and you can see why they are an excellent team. They are one of the premier programs in the both the area and the state."