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The Murray County Central Rebels’ volleyball season ended in Okabena, but it wasn’t quite the cake walk it was in regular season.
MCC started out with adrenaline running a little high, sailing the first two serves deep out of bounds, allowing the host to jump out to a nine point lead in a set that Rebel fans hoped wouldn’t set the tone for the night. Unable to put any runs together, a late surge came a little too late and HLOF took set one, 25-15.
The Rebels prepared all week for different situations they expected against the Coyotes and after a deja vu experience in the first set, determination and focus propelled MCC into set two. Sophomore Kate Blankenship took aim from the service line, successfully keeping the two seed out of system, prompting an early timeout from the Coyotes during the nine point run.
HLOF hitters could not get past Schneider and Loosbrock during the set and the Rebel fans erupted in the gym. Peltola was on point at her libero position as she and Blankenship set the foundation for Slettum to hand out assists to Rosenbrook, Loosbrock and Schneider on the offensive side.
The Rebel lead extended to 14-4 when a second time out was taken to try and break the momentum. Schneider stayed hot at the net and pushed the Rebels closer to a win before the Coyotes managed to close the gap, prompting MCC’s first timeout, 17-13, with Schneider out of the rotation.
HLO-F chipped away at the lead, but the Rebels came through with Loosbrock at the line, playing fantastic defense to keep the ball alive and fed to Schneider. Closing the gap to within two, 21-23, the home team made a push late in the game, but it was dashed by Schneider bringing MCC to game point, and finished off by a net serve, handing the win to MCC, 25-22.
In the third game, it was the Coyotes turn to refocus and turn the tide in their favor. The error gremlin showed up on the visitor’s side of the net as HLO-F’s hitters worked around the Rebel block with a faster tempo.
Adjustments were made defensively, but it was too little, too late for the Rebels and both time outs were spent by a 4-14. Miller’s back to back ace serves were not enough to spark the Rebels and the Coyotes took advantage of free ball/overpass opportunities given by MCC to take game three, 25-12.
The fourth set started out with the teams trading blows early on before senior Coyote, Marissa Becker, went on a run complementing her ringer, Emma Rasche in the front row. The Rebels ended Becker’s streak and made a push behind Loosbrock and Miller, back to back at the service line, bringing the score to 10 all.
It was now Rasche’s turn to put the game out of reach for the Rebels. A seven-point run, now with Becker in the front row, ending the set 25-16. MCC committed just too many errors and could not seal the blocks as before, proving Coyotes the #2 seed.
Taking a game from the Coyotes is a positive reflection of the team to come for MCC. Together they collected 4 Ace serves, 29 Kills, 67 Digs, 6 Ace Blocks and setters dished out 26 assists in the match. MCC finished the season with a 1214 record. Ensuring a promising future of Rebel volleyball, escorted by our seniors, Atalie Rosenbrook, Abby Loosbrock, Abby Overman, Morgan Winter, Kate Slettum and our new friend, Sophia Christina.
