Jefferson holds off Lady Cards in four

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

HILLSBORO — The Mineral Area College volleyball team provided a formidable challenge for region power Jefferson on Tuesday night, but the 14th-ranked Lady Vikings made fewer errors at crucial moments to secure a 25-22, 25-21, 19-25, 25-16 victory.

Elizabeth Reid finished with 14 kills and Marcela Madeira added 12 as setter Jennifer Elbert dished out 43 assists for the Lady Vikings, who saw their success hinge on the closing moments of the first two games.

Jefferson, which lost a five-point lead in the opening stanza, twice scored tie-breaking points when short returns fell uncovered on the MAC side during extensive defensive rallies.

Sophomore Milica Balandzic connected on her sixth kill of the game to help Mineral Area draw closer. A solo block by Jasmine Houston and a left-side smash from Bailey Stanley evened the score at 22-22, but Jefferson seized game one with the help of a missed attack and misplayed serve.

After Mineral Area sent consecutive attacks into the net, Hollyce Reynolds hammered a wrap-around spike to the opposite corner for another five-point Jefferson lead in game two.

MAC battled to within 17-16 on a short set from Brittany Sinclair to Houston, but the Lady Vikings clicked for three consecutive kills in response to pull away. Madeira extended the margin with a smash down the line, followed by a pinpoint attack along the net.

Jefferson appeared primed for a three-game sweep when excellent defense denied several Mineral Area attacks for a 7-2 start, but the Lady Cardinals answered with its most inspired volleyball of the evening.

Kelsey Davault made two hustling digs prior to a double block that marked a turning point in game three. A series of big kills off the bench from Lindsey Malone continued the comeback, and MAC eventually surged into the lead.

Stanley countered a Reid block with a strong kill for a 19-19 tie, sparking a run of seven straight points to close the game. Chelsey Politte caught the tape for a timely service ace and Haley Motley stuffed an attack before Stanley capped a dominant rotation with back-to-back smashes.

Mineral Area struggled to execute its attack early in game four, however, as Jefferson bolted to a 12-4 advantage on a ace from Lacey McCaulla. Madeira included a kill and block during a lengthy scoring run that made it 23-9.

Balandzic and Stanley each posted 15 kills and combined for just three errors to lead the Lady Cardinals. Sinclair made 35 assists and Houston added four blocks. Libero Chelsea Pinson compiled 25 digs and Davault made 16.

MAC (8-3) will host the McKendree junior varsity squad on Friday for a 6:30 p.m. opening serve.