Larkin on fire in win over Bartlett

Larkin senior Brianna Stewart called Thursday’s opening game against Bartlett its best so far this season.

Royals coach Henry Graack said it certainly was one of the cleanest games. Other than errors on 3 of the first 4 points, he was right.

Larkin scored 21 of the last 23 points in the first game as it dominated the Hawks, 25-6, 25-18 in an Upstate Eight crossover at Larkin.

“That was good to see,” Graack said. “It’s tough sometimes when the ball is not coming back at you as hard as you’re sending it over to keep that level, and I thought they did.”

Bartlett (0-5) led 3-1 after the Royals had 3 consecutive errors. Stewart had the first of her 12 kills to get Larkin (6-2) going. The game was tied 4-4 before the Royals scored 21 of the next 23 points.

Amelia Gill’s ace gave Larkin a 13-5 lead. Jenna Kummerer had a kill to make it 13-6. Stewart had a kill for a 14-6 lead and then went to the service line. She served the next 11 points as the Royals won the first game 25-6.

“Everyone knew how to make things work and keep the momentum going,” said Stewart, who added 7 digs and 2 blocks.

Larkin led 5-1 to open the second game. Kills from Alexis Price, Stewart and Olivia Kofie, followed by a combo block from Stewart and Kofie gave the Royals a 10-3 lead. Then Larkin’s errors allowed Bartlett back into the game. The Royals had errors on 6 of the next 7 points as the Hawks got within 2, 11-9.

The Hawks got within 1 at 17-16 and 18-17. Kills from Price and Kofie gave Larkin a 20-17 lead. After a Rachel Hartford kill for Bartlett, the Royals scored the final 5 points for the victory.

“Maybe we gained some confidence coming into Game 2,” Hawks coach Michele Bickus said. “We did play much better.”

Hartford and Katie Hrbacek led Bartlett with 2 kills each.

Kofie had 10 kills and 3 blocks for the Royals. Price and Danielle Newquist each added 5 kills. Gill had 4 aces and 7 digs. Alyssa McGhee had 18 assists.