Knightettes win second MAAA match

By DONN ADAMSON
Daily Journal Sports Editor

PARK HILLS — It took only two matches over a three-day period for the Farmington Knightettes to gain a winning record (2-1) in the Large-School Division of the Mineral Area Activities Association  volleyball conference.

Farmington won a two-game match over the Central Lady Rebels  on Thursday, 25-18, 25-16.

The start of the first game saw Central take charge on their home court. The Lady Rebels jumped out to a 11-6 lead using a strong net game of attacking and blocking as Farmington could not keep their spikes inside the 30’ by 30’ court. The Knightettes called time to readjust.

Central led 12-7 after the first rotation. The Knightettes made two service errors in a row to make the score 16-10 in favor of the Lady Rebels, causing Coach Greg Winslow to again call time to get his team focused on their task.

This time it worked as Molly Barnes served five straight points to tie the game at 16-16. Four of the five points were made on kills by Cassie Garcilaso from the left corner of the net. The other was a sharp, diving serve for an ace from Barnes.

Both teams broke serve for their next two points. Courtney Heuring served Farmington to a two-point lead at 20-18 with a backcourt kill made by Garcilaso.

Central called time to hopefully stop any run by the Knightettes, but the time-out was ineffective as Heuring served out the game with the Knightettes hammering down kill after kill upon the Lady Rebels defense.

The Lady Rebels made several digs, but unable to get a solid attack on each play, the constant bombardment from the Knightettes’ hitters wore down Central’s defense as the kill numbers escalated in Farmington’s favor.

 Central reinstated its attack game at the start of Game two. Both teams made 10 kills each in the game. Jaycee Haus spearheaded the Lady Rebels attack with six of their 10 kills.

Central charged out to a 6-3 lead and still held a sizable margin at 10-7 after two straight aces by Haus. Garcilaso and Courtney Heuring served the Knightettes into their first lead at 12-11, and Central was unable to respond as Farmington’s blocking kept the Lady Rebels attackers guessing.

With the exception of one service point by Elizabeth Hartupee, the Lady Rebels were held to points on service breaks only. With Barnes and Garcilaso at the net, Farmington went on the offensive. Brie Greever served an ace to make the score 16-13 and Central called time.

Greever served two more points and libero player Chelsea Pratt served another two to make the score 21-14. Kills by Ashey Jenson and Barnes made it 22-16, and Garcilaso served out the game finishing off the match with their fourth-straight, game-ending ace.

Central, 11-9-2 and 2-1 MAAA, will travel to Crystal City on Monday, and Farmington, 13-7-1, will host Poplar Bluff the same night.