Free State volleyball players celebrate as the walk off the court following their victory over Lawrence High Tuesday evening at FSHS.

When Free State High’s volleyball team needed a lift against Lawrence High on Tuesday, junior outside hitter Larissa Gaumer delivered big strike after big strike.

Gaumer, playing in her first City Showdown, had four kills in Free State’s final eight points, lifting the Firebirds to a 25-11, 25-20 sweep at FSHS.

Free State coach Amy Hoffsommer told Gaumer before Tuesday’s triangular that she needed to stop backing off of shots and fire away.

With the Lions (4-12) leading, 11-4, in the second set, Gaumer proved she heard her coach’s message loud and clear. Gaumer had seven kills in the set, drilling shots from the left side of the net after receiving strong sets from juniors Jenalee Dickson and Payton Gannaway.

“She took it to heart,” Hoffsommer said of Gaumer. “She brought it tonight.”

Gaumer, who also had a team-high two blocks, knew she was playing at her best during the final set and could see spots on the ball when she jumped up for spikes.

“It’s fun. You’re like all excited and once you’re on, you stay on for a while,” Gaumer said. “You just go for it.”

The Firebirds (7-6) were dominant in the first set against LHS — scoring six straight points twice — with kills from Gaumer, Gannaway, Naomi Hickman, Allie Knapp and Rachel Hickman. Defensively, seniors Erin Friedrichsen and Lauren Johnson led the team with five digs each.

“I just think our energy was definitely really up there,” said Gannaway, who had two kills, seven assists and three digs. “We were just all working together. Everything was going good for us.”

It was a much improved approach for the Firebirds after struggling to hit the ball in a straight-set loss to Olathe Northwest, 25-14, 25-22. The Ravens (12-1, ranked No. 1 in Class 6A) frustrated the Firebirds with their athletic blockers and precise attacks.

“I felt like Olathe Northwest, we were like all tensed up and we were scared because we know they have good blockers and really good players,” Gaumer said. “Then LHS, we were more relaxed and we had way better ball control.”

The City Showdown matchup had special meaning for Hoffsommer, a former LHS assistant for the past four seasons, who faced her old team for the first time.

“I told the girls, ‘I hope I didn’t come across as nervous,’ because that was something that I was kind of nervous about,” Hoffsommer said. “Those are girls (at LHS) I’ve coached for so long and I want them to be successful. But I sure don’t want to lose to them.”

The Lions, who lost to Olathe Northwest (25-16, 25-9), were troubled by inconsistent moments through both matches.

In the first set against the Ravens, the Lions trailed, 10-8, following a block by senior Caroline Dykes before Olathe Northwest scored seven straight points.

“Our mental toughness isn’t too strong so that’s really what we need to work on improving,” Dykes said. “I wouldn’t say we get down on ourselves. Sometimes we’re not always there competing as hard as we can and working as hard as we can.”

LHS junior Amelia Dunlap led the Lions’ offense against Free State with four kills while Dykes and senior Kyleigh Severa added three each, helped by sophomore setter Laurel Bird.

The Firebirds will play Emporia (ranked No. 10 in Class 5A) and Topeka Seaman at their home triangular at 5 p.m. today.