Lady Rebels struggle with miscues against St. Pius

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

PARK HILLS — A rash of unforced errors stopped the Central volleyball team from building any momentum or lengthy scoring streaks on Thursday night, as visiting St. Pius secured a 25-23, 25-17 victory.

Andrea Kountzman knocked down six kills and combined with Amanda Held on five stuff blocks for St. Pius (2-0), which prevailed after several long rallies down the stretch behind a defiant defense.

The narrow defeat in game one for Central was magnified by seven missed serves, which nullified an 11-6 edge in total kills. Three net violations were also whistled against the Lady Rebels during the opening stanza.

Steady digs from libero Alicia Sebastian and junior transfer Jaycee Haus helped Elizabeth Hartupee bury her second kill of the early going, but Central (1-1) relinquished its early advantage by sending the next two serves long.

The failure to communicate on a second touch cost the Lady Rebels during another exchange, and Kountzman gave St. Pius a 19-13 edge with a clean smash from the right side.

Central countered late in game one when sophomore Jessica Moss landed three deep kills during a stint on the front row. A loud solo block by Jennie Babb helped bring the Lady Rebels within 23-22, but Kountzman sealed the game with a rejection of her own following a pivotal missed serve.

St. Pius rattled off eight consecutive points on the serve of setter Kelci Kneff midway through game two, including two stuff-blocks from Held, and eventually built a commanding 21-9 lead.

Haus tipped past two blockers for a kill and Hartupee served an ace as Central turned away four match points. Haus finished with seven total kills and Hartupee made five for the Lady Rebels.

Sebastian collected 11 digs with Megan Simpson adding six for Central, and Tori Boyer dished out 11 assists.

Kneff tallied 13 assists with seven digs, and Gabrielle Moser added four kills for the Lady Lancers.