Lawrence High senior volleyball player Bobi Riley’s emotions quickly moved from frustration to jubilation.

The Lions rode an emotional roller coaster during a triangular Thursday at LHS. So many things went wrong, but none of those factors seemed to matter after a narrow Lawrence victory over Shawnee Mission South.

Lawrence High's Kayla Nolte blasts a spike against Shawnee Mission South. The Lions were 1-1 at a triangular Thursday at LHS.

“That was just an intense match,” Riley said after the Lions’ game-three victory that secured the match for LHS at its triangular meet against SM South and Olathe Northwest.

“At the end there that was the best we’ve played all year. It was just an awesome feeling.”

Unfortunately for LHS coach Jo Huntsinger’s club, the rest of Thursday wasn’t as thrilling as the 25-22, 24-26, 25-23 victory.

The Lions admitted they were rattled when they were forced to watch SM South play Olathe Northwest in the first match. Thursday was supposed to be a quadrangular, but Shawnee Maranatha had ineligible players and could not make the trip.

The sluggishness carried over against ONW when the Lions fell behind. LHS (10-4) staged a lengthy rally, but the Ravens held on to win the first game, 25-21, then put together an impressive rally to win the second game, 25-23.

“It was kind of a tough night to get going for us,” Huntsinger said. “But at the end, we really showed our composure.”

Lawrence High volleyball players celebrate a point against Shawnee Mission South. The Lions beat SM South but lost to Olathe Northwest at a triangular Thursday at LHS.

After defeating SM South solidly in the first game, Lawrence should have closed the door but let a lead slip away in the second game.

“We were all kind of getting nervous at that point,” Riley said.

In the third game, Lawrence led 20-17 and seemed to be in control. But SM South went on a 3-1 run to close to within a point, then tied the game at 22.

But a kill by Riley plus a SM South error led to two LHS points, then a thunderous kill by Riley gave the Lions the match.

“It wasn’t exactly what we hoped it would be tonight,” Riley said. “But the kind of excitement and competition we had in that last game, you can’t prepare for situations like those. I think we’ll take a great deal out of this victory.”

6News video: LHS volleyball wins one, loses one (09-23-04)