REBEL VOLLEYBALL LOSES TO

The MCC Rebels were on the road on Tuesday night (September 30) for their only regular game of the week. The Rebels took on the top team in the Red Rock Conference, the Russell Tyler Ruthton Knights. The Rebels stand in third place in the conference with a 4-2 record while the Knights entered the game 6-0. The Knights head coach Daynica Brown was looking for her 200th career victory in her 10 years at RTR. The Rebels gave a great effort in this contest, but the Knights were just too strong.

MCC came out with great confidence in this game and took the early lead. MCC went ahead 8-4 before the Knights used their first timeout of the game. The Knights continued to struggle against the Rebels as MCC went up 11 to 5 for their biggest lead of the first set. The Rebels were getting nice hits from Suttyn Schryvers and Reese Gilbertson plus some good blocking up front by Kat Miller. The Knights are a top ten ranked team in the state and they showed it over the middle portion of set 1. The Knights chipped away at the Rebel lead, getting some good shots but also taking advantage of some Rebel missed opportunities. The Knights tied the game for the first time at 21-21 and won the first set 25 to 21.

After such a tough first set the Rebels struggled in game 2 to get their footing. RTR jumped out to a 10-1 lead. The play at the net was heavily in favor of the Knights both defensively and offensively. If the Rebels were late on a block it was nearly an automatic point for the Knights. The Rebels pulled things together later in the set but lost 25 to 16. The third and final set was a better start for the Rebels but they trailed 10 to 6. MCC continued to battle with the state ranked Knights but struggled to put together the consistent shots to beat the Knights. RTR beat MCC 25 to 16 in the third for the 3-0 sweep.

The Rebels were led by Reese Gilbertson with 10 kills in the game while Suttyn Schryvers added 5. She was held in check the final two sets after the hot start. The consistency for the Rebels has improved since game 1 of the season but it needs to take another step, especially when the Rebels play the very best teams. Rebel losses to RTR and WWG show how important consistent play is, because at their best the Rebels are competing with those top teams in the Red Rock Conference.

MCC will be in action at the Jimmy Johns Classic in Marshall this Friday and Saturday.