MCDERMITT - Is it too early to call the McDermitt High School girls volleyball team the comeback kids?
That is exactly what the Lady Bulldogs did Tuesday night in their season-opener against Crane, Ore. The Mustangs held a 2-1 set advantage, only to see McDermitt rally in the final two sets to complete the 27-25, 13-25, 11-25, 25-21 and 18-16 victory.
"That was pretty exciting for a first match and I was glad we were able to get the win," said MHS coach Danielle Wilson. "We did what we wanted to do in that first game. I wanted them to play their game and have fun. We got out of that in the second and third games but were able to hold it together. The way we came back showed a lot about my team."
With the first stet tied at 9-9, McDermitt used a 7-1 run to go up 16-11, but Crane rallied to trim the deficit to 18-17. The Lady Bulldogs looked to have control of the set when an ace by Krissy Long put them up 22-18. However, Crane used a 6-1 spurt to go in front 24-23 and had set point.
The Lady Bulldogs had set point at 25-24, but was called for being on the line on the next serve, giving the point to Crane. The Mustangs could not capitalize missing on a kill on the next point and Lydia Northrup finished off the set with an ace.
Crane jumped out to a 13-8 advantage in the second set, but Va Draunidalo did her best to keep McDermitt alive. The junior started a four-point rally with a kill and added three consecutive aces to bring the score to 13-12. After a timeout, Crane answered with 12 of the next 13 points to win the set.
The Mustangs carried that momentum to the third set, jumping out to a 9-3 lead. Crane never trailed in the set and cruised to the victory.
Crane scored four of the first five points in the fourth set, but could not hold the lead as an ace by Deandra Dave tied it at 5-5. McDermitt kept the deficit at one point as a tip by Lydia Northrup ended a Mustang rally.
The Lady Bulldogs took their first lead at 15-14 on an ace by Northrup. The junior added a dig down the Crane line and two more aces to make the score 19-14. The advantage never dropped below four points from there and Draunidalo closed out the set with a kill.
"Serving is a big strength for us," said the coach. "We have that with all the girls. That really helps. Sometimes we like to serve a little too hard and we give up some points there."
A kill by Long and an ace by Northrup gave McDermitt a 3-1 lead in the fifth set and the teams traded point from there. With the set tied at 9-9, Crane went on a 4-1 run to lead 13-10. The Mustangs could not hold the advantage as the Lady Bulldogs came back to go in front 15-14. McDermitt served in the net on the next point, keeping Crane alive in the match. The Mustangs went in front 16-15 but also had trouble finishing off the match. McDermitt took the lead at 17-16 on a kill by Andrea Smart and Dave gave the Lady Bulldogs the victory with a kill.
"I was happy with the way we pulled it together," Wilson said. "They never quit and they worked well together, which was nice to see. I seem them helping each other. They are right where I want them to be."
McDermitt travels to Pyramid Lake for a non-conference match with the Lakers at 5 p.m.
"It will be a good test for us," Wilson said. "It will be our first road trip and we will see how we react."[[In-content Ad]]
