Allen Community College’s volleyball team dropped three sets to nationally ranked Kansas City, Kan., Community College Wednesday afternoon. HOWEVER, once the Red Devils got their much needed side-out, they weren’t able to convert the momentum into their own rally.
The Red Devils came out strong in the first set, but ended up on the losing side, 25-22. Allen had an early 2-0 advantage and turned that into a 7-3 lead. However, the Blue Devils remained close and took the lead, 13-12. Allen never led again. With the score tied 22-22, KCK scored the final three points to win.
Red Devil head coach Jessica Peters said the team started strong, carrying momentum from a road sweep over Friends University earlier in the week.
“We said we wanted to carry it over, we started with a great warm-up,” Peters said. “That first set was exactly what we needed consistently.”
Peters said that the first set was indicative of how the team can play.
“That first set proves we can compete with those type of teams and by no means are we weaker than they are,” Peters said. “We are just as strong and competitive.”
KCK started to take control of the game in the second set, winning 25-17. Going point-for-point much of the match, the Blue Devils went on a 10-4 run to win the set.
“Allowing a team to make a run on you can really make or break the momentum,” Peters said. “We really just needed a side-out. We know we can handle a side-out. There’s something about a team having a serve, feeling like they’re in control.”
“In our game with rally scoring the way it is, a three-point deficit can be erased just like that,” Peters said.
“Two errors on them and an ace by us, it could be a tie ball game. So, it could have been anyone’s game. But, we were making more communication errors. That’s part of our youth again. We play really timid.”
The Blue Devils dominated the third set, winning 25-14. KCK started out with a 5-0 advantage and never looked back. The Blue Devils led 17-5 at one point.
“It’s a complete shock to us as a coaching staff because our opportunity to regroup and refocus in our locker room was nothing but supportive, positive and reassuring,” Peters said.
“It was like we had nothing to lose and they had everything to lose at this point. Being a nationally ranked team, we knew it was going to be a challenge before we even stepped foot on the court.”
Peters said that Andonae Magdziarz and Halley Scott were two players committed to playing their best from start to finish. Magdziarz led the Red Devils with 10 kills and had a hitting percentage of .346. Scott did her best to keep the ball in the air, leading the team with 22 digs.
The Red Devils (5-6) host the Allen Invitational Friday and Saturday. Matches start at 1 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday at the Recreation Community Building at Riverside Park.
ACC volleyball loses to KCK in three sets
