MADISON — Crest and Marmaton Valley each had some struggles in Madison on Tuesday night, but both volleyball teams were able to salvage one win in the three games each played.
Both teams struggled to get going early and suffered losses in their opening games. Marmaton Valley faced Madison first and fell 25-19, 25-19.
Seniors Misty Storrer and Kyla Drake led the Wildcats. They each had four kills with Drake also contributing two blocks.
The Lancers played Hartford in their first game and played a very competitive first set, but lost 26-24. Hartford responded with an easier victory in the second set, winning 25-17.
The Lancers’ struggles continued in their second match of the day. They lost to Madison, 25-13, 25-15.
Marmaton Valley was able to get its game back on track against Hartford.
They got off to a fast start with a first set win, 25-18. Hartford responded by winning the second set 25-22 and setting up a winner-take-all third set.
The teams went back and forth in the third set, but behind Drake’s strong play, the Wildcats escaped with a 25-23 victory.
Drake finished with nine kills and three blocks to lead the team in both categories. Makayla Brooks and Shayla Brooks had seven and six kills respectively.
The third game for both teams was the rivalry matchup as the two schools faced off against each other. Crest came in with a sense of urgency to try and not finish the day 0-3.
That urgency paid off with a 25-17 win in the first set and they continued to build that momentum in the second set and won it, 25-16.
“We finally came alive and played like I know that we can,” Crest coach Abigail Hermreck said. “I was very proud of how the girls came together and played as a team in the match against (Marmaton Valley). They made the hustle plays, passed well, communicated and executed our offense.”
Crest senior Miranda Golden had nine of the team’s 20 kills against the Wildcats. She had 16 total kills on the night. Sophomore Cassie Bowen was second with nine.
“It ended up being a great night for us,” Hermreck said. “The girls played like we knew they could and now the bar is set high for the remainder of the season.”
Drake led Marmaton Valley with nine kills and Makayla Brooks added five.
Crest was able to win their junior varsity match against Hartford by demonstrating “teamwork and determination” according to Hermreck.
The Wildcat junior varsity lost in three sets to Madison, 25-20, 22-25, 15-12. Emily Smart had a team-high four kills while Bailey Griffith and Kari Shadden each added three.
Marmaton Valley, Crest each go 1-2 in Madison
