MCC REBELS VOLLEYBALL CELEBRATES WIN AT HOME

The MCC Volleyball team was home on Tuesday night playing their second game of the season. The Rebels had a week between their first game and their second which allowed them time to work on what troubled them against the Canby Lancers. The Rebels played host to the Lakeview Lakers who were also looking for their first win of the season. In what was a hard fought game from beginning to end that didn’t see either team have large leads the Rebels would get the win.

In game one the two teams exchanged side outs much of the first twenty points. The Lakers would rely on the hitting of Taylor Hinz to set their offense but then Kiara Hinz and Avery Hinz would have their moments. Kate Blankenship had three early kills but the Rebels were a step or two off to begin the game. The Lakers would win game one 25 to 23 in what would be a game in which the Lakers led the majority of the way but they didn’t lead by much.

Game two would be a crazy game as the Rebels looked to be in control most of the way but like game one it would be close. The Rebels would get a huge boost from Kat Miller in game two as the junior middle hitter would get some key blocks and a couple of well timed kills. The Rebels got great touches from Suttyn Schryvers and Reese Gilbertson. MCC built a large lead 24 to 15 and the Lakers would send Nicole Schwartz to the service line and she would bring the Lakers within two points 24 to 22. MCC would get the key shot to end the Laker rally and pick up the 25 to 22 second set.

The second game would go back and forth with the Rebels getting off to a good start building a four point lead. Lakeview would then rally to build a lead later in the third game. The Rebels were able to stay in the set by keeping plays alive and finding ways to win points by simply keeping shots in play. Reese Gilbertson had some huge shots from the middle of the floor while Schryvers was able to get some key hits from the back row. The Lakers would build a 24 to 22 lead, with Avery Thovson going to the service line. The Rebel Freshman would serve well and MCC would get a bit of luck on a couple of well placed shots. The Rebels would tie the game at 24-24 saving two set points. The Rebels would then get the third set 26 to 24.

MCC and Lakeview played three very tough sets to begin the game and that would continue in the fourth. The Lakers would get off to a quick start but the Rebels would not panic. They would settle things down by getting some well timed shots from players like Kat Miller, Kate Blankenship and Peyton Degreeff. Ava Deacon came up with some nice saves and several key serves to stay in the game. The Rebels would get key contributions by everyone on the team and though the Rebels made their mistakes they limited long runs of mistakes. The Rebels scored points when Gilbertson and Schryvers were getting good passes and the sophomore duo would take advantage. MCC would get the win 25 to 22 to take the game 3 sets to 1.

It was far from a perfect game by the Rebels but it was a game that showed some grit and fight. The Rebels showed the ability to make a mistake and bounce back from it quickly to stay in the match and in the end get a win. Reese Gilbertson led the Rebels with 18 kills while Suttyn Schryvers finished with 14. The Rebels showed some nice balance as well with Kat Miller providing a spark up front. The Lakers were a tough matchup but MCC got the win to even their record at 1 win and 1 loss on the season. MCC will travel to Dawson Boyd High School on Thursday night for their second game of the week and their third of the season.