Lawrence High's Tayler Tolefree spikes during the Joan Wells invitational. LHS went 1-5 at the event Saturday at LHS.

Facing relegation to the bronze division – the lowest tier at the Joan Wells Invitational on Saturday – the Lawrence High volleyball team finally put together its most substantial run of the tournament.

Down by two points in Game One against winless Shawnee Mission Northwest during the final match of pool play, the Lions – who also were without a victory – turned to senior Kate Melton’s serve for a lift.

Boy, did she deliver.

LHS won 11 consecutive points, 10 of which came on Melton’s serve, to earn its only victory on the day, 25-15, 25-17. The victory advanced the Lions to the silver division and secured a spot in the top eight of the 10-team tournament.

The Lions finished 1-5 overall, but Lawrence coach Stephanie Magnuson said not playing for last place was a huge step in the right direction.

“It was very important,” she said. “The girls have a history of not finishing real well at their own tournament. I think it was big for them to not be in that bottom bracket. It was a pride thing for them.”

LHS has certainly had its share of struggles playing in its home tournament

“In the last couple of years at Joan Wells, we haven’t won a game and we’ve gotten last,” LHS senior Rachel Van Horn said. “So breaking that curse at last was really fulfilling, especially as a senior.”

As for Melton, Magnuson appreciated what her serving meant to the team.

“Serving is a very mental part of the game that’s tough to conquer sometimes, and to serve 10 straight and to serve aggressively, that’s a big mental hurdle for a lot of players,” Magnuson said. “The fact that she was able to do that was huge.”

Van Horn led the Lions (7-14) with 80 assists, and Melton had 12 aces. Outside hitter Lindsey Murray had 22 kills, and libero Emily Bracciano tallied 41 digs. Middle blocker Tayler Tolefree collected 28 kills and led LHS with 20 blocks.

“I think we’re getting closer to getting them to believe they are good enough to not be in that bottom bracket,” Magnuson said. “They’re just trying to keep afloat when they don’t realize they could rise above.”