Cardinals knock out rival Lafayette in districts

For Benton and Lafayette, only one boys volleyball team could come away with its first district win in program history.

Even though Lafayette’s efforts put them in positions at certain points in the first and third sets, Benton would complete a sweep of the Fighting Irish on Monday night to advance to the semifinal round of Class 1 District 16.

Set one would turn out to be the most competitive of the three. Lafayette fell down early, and even found itself in a 21-16 hole. However, several misfires and attacks at the net helped Lafayette get back into the set. But at set point, a costly mistake gave Benton the set 25-23 when Reece Flanagan’s serve was sent beyond the end line. 

In the second set, Benton asserted itself from the jump and kept the Fighting Irish at arms distance, holding a 10-point lead on two separate occasions. The Fighting Irish would have their short bursts and capitalize on Benton mistakes, but the Cardinals would still dominate the set and win 25-14 and then finish the game with a 25-16 set three win. 

“It’s a rivalry wherever we go, especially against [Lafayette],” Benton assistant coach Dalton Lawrence said. “They hung in, had their backs against the wall, and they kept swinging and came out with the victory. Great win for us.”