The Lady Wildcats have had problems with Valley this volleyball season, having to come from behind in their first meeting a few weeks ago to win the match in five games. On Friday night the same two teams met up again this time in Joseph City. As in the previous meeting the Lady Cats fell behind early, losing the first two games 25-10 and 25-16. They bounced back to win games three and four 25-22 and 25-21. Unlike their first meeting, this time the fifth game went to the Lady Pirates, who closed out the match with a 15-12 win.
“The first two games were dreadful. We played leisurely. We had no focus, and we didn’t put out enough effort to beat or even compete with the Pirates. Facing a do or go home situation in the third game we stepped up and made a game of it. Behind our hitters Harlie Blosser and Kristin Baldwin, along with the defense and passing of Sara Solomon, we were able to win game three,” said Coach Darrel Mosier.
The third game went back and forth until Solomon gave the Lady Cats a cushion by serving for five straight points. Valley came back to take the lead at 19-18 only to have freshman Krista Edwards serve six points in a row to reach game point.
“Krista showed great mental toughness during this run and she was also our team’s setter.” added the coach. Krista and her sister Lexi finished the night with a combined 33 assists.
Game four was similar to the third, with the lead going back and forth. Joseph City finally gained a two-point cushion at 18-16, then held on for the win, forcing a fifth game.
In the final game Joseph City fell behind early at 12-6, then trailed again at match point, 14-9. Tori Baird, who was 19 for 19 on serves in the match, brought the Lady Wildcats to within two with the score at 14-12 and made things exciting for the homecoming crowd, but an eventual hitting error by Joseph City brought the match to a close with Valley winning the fifth game, 15-12.
“In the fifth game we played hesitant and non-aggressive. We had several hitting errors and missed digs that gave Valley some easy points,” said Coach Mosier.
Leading hitters for the Wildcats were Blosser with 13 kills and Baldwin with 10.
Joseph City is now 6-3 in non-tournament, matches and ranked 14th in the Division V power points. After playing at St. Michael on Tuesday, the Lady Cats will host Round Valley on Thursday, Oct. 13. On Tuesday, Oct. 18, they will travel to Holbrook.
