By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

After falling behind 30-8 in the first half against host De La Salle on Thursday, the Rebels were able to pick it up offensively in the second half. But De La Salle was able to maintain its edge for a 58-33 victory.

Riverside (0-2) was led by Sarah Levin’s 12 points. Brittany Schoen added six. Lauren Doyle and Stephanie LeBlanc scored four each.

The game was new Riverside Coach Kristy Hebert’s second with the team, after making her debut in a 28-17 loss on the road to Hosanna Christian on Tuesday.

While her Rebels are winless in two games, Hebert says that some growing pains for her young team are to be expected. And against a strong opponent like De La Salle, the effort was there.

“We didn’t shoot very well, especially from the outside,” said Hebert. “I’m proud that the girls kept fighting back. If we keep fighting, we’ll be alright.”

After only scoring four points in each of the first two quarters, Hebert implored her team at halftime to continue to shoot aggressively. The Rebels scored 25 in the second half.

“I just encouraged them to keep shooting, and some will start falling,” Hebert said.

The matchup at Hosanna Christian was low scoring and very close for three quarters, as Riverside led 7-5 after the first quarter and trailed 8-7 at halftime. The teams were tied at 12 after three quarters.

But in the fourth quarter, Hosanna Christian found its offense, outscoring the Rebels 16-5 to notch the 28-17 win.

Schoen and Kaitlyn Millet each scored six points to lead Riverside.

“We broke down a little bit in the fourth,” said Hebert. “It was our first game, and the first time we had everyone together after volleyball. We just want to keep getting better.”