MAC volleyball closes regular season with win
By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer
Daily Journal Sports Writer
Oct 29, 2009 - 13:07:03 CDT
HILLSBORO — Freshman Anna Laitinen smashed four straight kills during a seven-point scoring streak in game one, and the Mineral Area volleyball team defeated Lewis & Clark 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20 on Wednesday night.
Excellent transition from the back row helped the Lady Cardinals connect for 17 kills overall during an impressive opening stanza while collecting their eighth victory in nine matches.
It was the final chance for Mineral Area (29-8) to prepare for the upcoming Region XVI Tournament in West Plains, and key contributions from several players resulted in the sizzling start.
Sophomore Haley Motley knocked down two quick sets from Tisha Meyer just before Laitinen unleashed her hitting barrage from the left side, and the Lady Cardinals enjoyed an 18-7 advantage.
Laitinen finished with 14 kills and Meyer compiled 43 assists overall. Kelly Kosmopolis had eight kills with five blocks, and Motley added six kills with four blocks to the win.
MAC snapped the fourth tie of game two on a frenetic scramble, as libero Kelsey Davault chased down a deflected attack. Kaylin Rasmussen secured the point with a back-row kill, and the Lady Cardinals gradually pulled away.
Rachel Kleekamp landed two big swings inside the back line to produce a 16-9 margin, and Monika Barros de Alcantara jump-served her second and third aces during a late rotation to seal the game.
Kleekamp matched Barros de Alcantara with seven kills each, and Davault continued her steady defensive play with 18 digs.
Lewis & Clark (16-25) improved its blocking and back-row defense against a shuffled Mineral Area lineup to seize game three, breaking a 17-17 deadlock by scoring five consecutive points.
But Mineral Area would not trail again after Davault served four straight points in game four. Three more timely smashes from Laitinen highlighted a five-point spurt after a double-block brought Lewis & Clark within 15-14.
Melissa Brockman hammered 10 kills while Olivia Walker and Shea Radcliff notched six apiece for the Trailblazers. Walker also delivered four stuffs during the match.
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Excellent transition from the back row helped the Lady Cardinals connect for 17 kills overall during an impressive opening stanza while collecting their eighth victory in nine matches.
It was the final chance for Mineral Area (29-8) to prepare for the upcoming Region XVI Tournament in West Plains, and key contributions from several players resulted in the sizzling start.
Sophomore Haley Motley knocked down two quick sets from Tisha Meyer just before Laitinen unleashed her hitting barrage from the left side, and the Lady Cardinals enjoyed an 18-7 advantage.
Laitinen finished with 14 kills and Meyer compiled 43 assists overall. Kelly Kosmopolis had eight kills with five blocks, and Motley added six kills with four blocks to the win.
MAC snapped the fourth tie of game two on a frenetic scramble, as libero Kelsey Davault chased down a deflected attack. Kaylin Rasmussen secured the point with a back-row kill, and the Lady Cardinals gradually pulled away.
Rachel Kleekamp landed two big swings inside the back line to produce a 16-9 margin, and Monika Barros de Alcantara jump-served her second and third aces during a late rotation to seal the game.
Kleekamp matched Barros de Alcantara with seven kills each, and Davault continued her steady defensive play with 18 digs.
Lewis & Clark (16-25) improved its blocking and back-row defense against a shuffled Mineral Area lineup to seize game three, breaking a 17-17 deadlock by scoring five consecutive points.
But Mineral Area would not trail again after Davault served four straight points in game four. Three more timely smashes from Laitinen highlighted a five-point spurt after a double-block brought Lewis & Clark within 15-14.
Melissa Brockman hammered 10 kills while Olivia Walker and Shea Radcliff notched six apiece for the Trailblazers. Walker also delivered four stuffs during the match.