Finally Chiney Ogwumike can stand out on her own.

After playing alongside big sister Nneka – who was one of the top high school athletes in the nation – for the past two years, the junior middle blocker was the main weapon in Cy-Fair’s three-game win against host Cinco Ranch in the teams’ 2008 season opener, Tuesday night.

With Nneka watching in the stands, Chiney led the Bobcats with 18 kills and five solo blocks to lead a relatively young team to a 25-17, 26-24, 25-19 victory.

“We didn’t do as well as we thought (in scrimmages) because we have a new team,” Ogwumike said. “It was great to come together on the court and get excited to play ball.”

Cy-Fair, the defending Region III champions, controlled the match from the get-go, running out to a 10-5 lead in the first game after three Ogwumike aces and some hitting errors by the Cougars. Outside hitters Lindsey Peterson, Sarah Teel and Afton Addington also did well in the match.

“We were kind of struggling with our ball control this past weekend, and the girls picked up ball control today and were really scrappy,” Bobcats coach Donna Benotti said. “They played awesome defense and played together really well. I’m pleased with their performance tonight.”

Cinco Ranch tried to rally in the second game thanks to a big run led by middle blocker Lindsey Miller, who got two kills late in the game to help the Cougars take a 24-23 lead. But Ogwumike got two big kills and another by Peterson put the game away.

In the third game, kills by Ogwumike and Addington helped the Bobcats jump out to an 18-11 lead.

Benotti was also pleased how Ogwumike not only played on the court, but also how she took command of the Bobcats as a team leader.

“She took control of the team and had a lot of leadership out there on the court,” Benotti said.

Subscribe to this comment's feed