Lake Mills keeps 7-year streak alive

The last time the Lake Mills Bulldogs volleyball team lost a regular season North Iowa Conference match was in 2003.

Their opponent that night — Forest City.

Seven years later, the Indians had a shot to end the streak but fell just short, losing 15-13 in the fifth game.

“With a target on your back there’s a lot of pressure,” Lake Mills head coach Jim Boehmer said. “It was good to sneak out a win.”

The Bulldogs were lucky to sneak out of Forest City with a win, as Indians fans pack their high school’s gym and left standing room only.

Four of the five games were decided by three or fewer points and Lake Mills ultimately won the match 26-24, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25, 15-13.

Forest City opened the first game with a 12-5 lead but faltered after a key player went down with a knee injury. The Bulldogs came back to win game one and controlled game two, looking as if they may sweep the match.

The Bulldogs held a lead throughout much of the third game, but missed five serves down the stretch and gave momentum back to the Indians.

After losing game four, Forest City held a 13-12 lead in the final game until Lake Mills rattled off three straight points for the win.

Josie Brackey led the team with 25 kills, 11 digs and four blocks.

Abbey Honsey and Amanda Lampman were consistent hitters of the Bulldogs, going 19-for-21 and 17-for-20 hitting, respectively.

“Abbey and Amanda really took care of the ball,” Boehmer said.

This isn’t the final time Lake Mills will see Forest City this season, but it puts the Bulldogs in the driver’s seat competing for the North Iowa Conference championship.