If defense win championships, there’s a lot to love in Reeds Spring.
The Lady Wolves stormed their way to a 2-0 victory over Mt. Vernon Tuesday night (25-18, 25-20), and the back line set the tone early.
Paced by libero Madison Bauer and setter Ashley Hill, Reeds Spring showcased a strong receive/pass game and raced out to an early lead against Mt. Vernon’s daunting front line of Morgan Hull and Samantha Staab.
MT. VERNON VS. REEDS SPRING PHOTO GALLERY
A 14-8 momentum-grabbing run quickly turned into a 20-11 cushion for the Lady Wolves.
While Mt. Vernon would gather itself and mount a late comeback, the deficit proved too deep for the Lady ‘Neers to overcome.
The second set saw the visitors stake out to an early 6-2 lead; however, back-too-back aces from Lydia Gasper helped Reeds Spring rally to a tie and then a 12-11 lead.
Solid defense on both ends of the court prompted back-and-forth action across the net and extended a good number of points down the stretch.
In the end, Bauer and company would not be denied.
“We just came out strong,” Bauer said. “Everyone was talking, playing together and getting good passes, good sets and good hits. Tonight really lifts our spirits.”
Reeds Spring head coach Jennifer Nichols was quick to praise her senior libero, who has played all around the rotation during her varsity career.
“[Madison] just reads so well,” Nichols said. “She gets under the ball so quick, and is one of our senior leaders, so we can’t not have her back there.”
Getting under the ball quickly certainly made the difference against Mt.Vernon, and it will likely become Reeds Spring’s calling card this season.
“We’re not a big blocking and big hitting team,” Nichols said. “We know that, and our defense is our main focus. As long as we can keep it alive on our side, and have no balls hit the floor without at least one person diving, we’ll be OK. They did a really good job of covering the floor.”
For Mt. Vernon and head coach Bridgett Schmutz, replacing all-stater Laynie Dake isn’t something that happens over night; however, the Lady ‘Neers still have plenty of talent left in the cupboard.
Success for Mt. Vernon is just a matter of control and good decision-making.
“We didn’t pass too well tonight,” Schmutz said. “We just weren’t prepared on some things defensively, trying to leave early and not take care of the setter. We just needed to control what we were doing on our side of the net.”
Both teams are back in action on Thursday.
Reeds Spring (1-0) travels to Seneca, while Mt. Vernon (0-1) hosts Hollister.
Varsity final: Reeds Spring – 2, Mt. Vernon – 0 (25-18, 25-20) JV Final: Mt. Vernon – 2, Reeds Spring – 0 (25-17, 25-15)
