Crown Point coach Alison Duncan has figured out the best way to utilize junior Maddie Banter.
“You just have to let her go and play free,” Duncan said. “I’ve told her that I’ll never yell at her for being too aggressive. She has free reign to play like a crazed person out there because that’s when she plays her best.”
The 5-foot-9 outside hitter was all over the court Tuesday night, helping Crown Point rebound from last week’s loss to LaPorte with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-17 Duneland Athletic Conference sweep of host Lake Central.
As one of the few veteran players for Crown Point, Banter expected a bigger role this season. And it was a big road win for the Bulldogs (4-3, 2-1).
“I knew I had to step it up,” she said. “We’re a younger team, and having a big win like this is going to give us confidence for our next match.”
Duncan raved about Banter’s speed after the match, and Banter showed off that speed during consecutive points in Game 2.
First, Banter raced outside the service line to return the ball back over the net, saving a point the Bulldogs later won.
During the rally of the next serve, Banter was up near the net but on the ground after diving for a dig. Still, she managed to flop up just enough to get one hand on the ball, saving another point that also ended up in Crown Point’s favor.
Banter said she had no time to think about either play.
“I just kind of went for it,” she said. “It was all instinct. I live for those plays.”
Those points gave Crown Point a 12-6 lead over Lake Central (10-4, 2-1) in Game 2, and the Bulldogs coasted from there.
Crown Point then completed the sweep by quickly building a 20-11 lead in Game 3. It was Banter who provided the match-winning kill, one of her team-high eight. She also added 11 digs.
More Top Picks Best Warm White Led Bulbs For Reading
Lake Central had coasted to 3-0 victories in its previous two DAC matches, but coach Matt Clark said his team looked different against Crown Point.
“That was probably the first time I’ve seen them play a little timid this year,” he said. “(Crown Point) played a cleaner, more consistent game.
“We struggled with our serve receive. That’s something that hasn’t been an issue in the past several matches.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.