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Erynn Rohrer
The MCC Rebels were on the road Tuesday night playing the Heron Lake Okabena Fulda Coyotes in the first game of the Red Rock Conference schedule. The Rebels entered the game riding a two game winning streak while the Coyotes were looking to bounce back after a tough tournament in Marshall over the weekend. A year ago the two teams squared off with the Rebels taking a 3-1 win. On Tuesday the Coyotes would flip the script on the Rebels.
The Rebels came out strong in game 1 taking an early 4-1 lead led by the serving of Erynn Rohrer. MCC would hold that lead for some time but HLOF would respond. The Coyotes would go on a huge run to win game 1, 25 to 13. HLOF would score 14 of the final 16 points of the set. It wasn’t one player for the Coyotes who dominated the game but it was strong balance from Renae Salentiny, Katelyn Johnson, and Hannah Post. Ellie Freking would have a terrific service game to wrap up game 1 for the Coyotes.
In game two the Rebels would dominate play in every way. The Rebels would start strong and would not stop. The Rebels would take game 2, 25 to 8. MCC got some nice hitting from Suttyn Schryvers and Kate Blankenship made some nice plays putting the Rebels over the top evening the game at a set each.
The third set was a back and forth battle all the way to the end. The Coyotes trailed early but would hang around until late in the game and then they would pull ahead. Renae Salentiny would have a strong set with some big shots. Ava Fisher was very active as the team’s setter and she kept rallies alive. Andrea Lang, the Coyote Libero, was all over the floor keeping plays alive. The Rebels would make a push late in the game but HLOF would get the win 25 to 23.
In the fourth set, the Coyotes up 2 sets to 1, HLOF would play their best all around game of the match. The Coyotes would take advantage of MCC mistakes as they would stay out front and in control. The Rebels struggled with serve receive in this game and that would cost them a great deal. HLOF showed some strong defense not only blocking shots up front but covering the back line when shots got through the blockers. The Coyotes beat MCC 25 to 20 to take the game 3-1.
The numbers show some of the Rebels’ struggles in this game. Kate Blankenship led the Rebels with 8 kills and Suttyn Schryvers added 7. Last week when the Rebels beat Lakeview the Rebels were led with 18 and 15 kills. The Rebels just did not get that type of production on Tuesday. The Rebels had just 5 aces in the game which was a low number for the year. MCC is now 2-2 on the season and will play host to Mountain Lake Area Comfrey on Thursday night in Slayton before playing in a tournament Saturday in Jackson.
