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Lake Norman falls in I-Meck semifinals
Regan Hill
Lauren Steiner goes up for the kill in Lake Norman's match Tuesday.
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Published: October 21, 2009
MOORESVILLE - Lake Norman had too much to overcome against perennial power North Meck, falling to the Vikings 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-19) in the second round of the I-Meck tourney.
The Wildcats have battled illness for the last two weeks, with one player so sick that she passed out after the match.
To further complicate matters, Lake Norman was facing a North Meck team that has dominated conference play in recent years, winning four consecutive titles.
The Vikings (22-1) can also win in many ways.
"They have a lot of different people that can hurt you," Lake Norman coach Karen Poulin said. "They don't just have one girl who dominates the whole game. Any time you have a team with multiple superstar athletes, that makes them difficult to beat."
The Wildcats, fresh off a victory over previously unbeaten Hickory, feel they have the talent to compete with the best entering the state playoffs.
"If we play our 'A-game,' we're just as good as anybody else," Poulin said.
On Tuesday night, the Wildcats played hard, but didn't bring their "A-game."
The Wildcats showed flashes of brilliance against the North Meck juggernaut, having leads deep into games two and three, but they never could get over the hump.
Their momentum was stopped time after time by the tall and athletic North front line.
"We struggled with being tired and sick," Poulin said.
Lauren Steiner played a tremendous game for the Wildcats, recording 11 kills and five blocks.
"(Steiner) killed us tonight," North Meck coach Sandi Skidmore said. "She's very athletic."
Madison Poovey was strong at the net for Lake Norman with nine blocks, Molly Cotten added eight kills, Morgan Tucker delivered six kills and Jensen Schott finished with 16 digs.
Skidmore is glad the Wildcats have joined the 4A ranks.
"I think they are very good," Skidmore said of the Wildcats. "I was excited when they came into the conference. I knew that with Mooresville and Lake Norman both coming in, there would be more competition than we've had in the past."
Lake Norman (16-9) opens the 4A state playoffs on Saturday.
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