The Marionville Lady Comets turned what looked to be a barnburner into a quick two set victory over the Cassville Lady Cats Thursday night in Marionville.
The Comets, who fought their way tooth and nail for a 25-23 win over over the Cats in the opening set, rallied to put Cassville away 25-11 in the second, to grab the victory.
With the triumph the Lady Comets find themselves sitting on a 2-1 record in 2016. The Lady Cats are now 1-3.
"The first set was definitely a tough game for us. But we weren't really playing Comet volleyball," said Marionville coach Ashlynn Engler. "The second game was more like us. Our girls took the momentum they had gained, by grabing the opening set, back out on the court to put the game away in the second."
Neither team could make a run big enough to put the other away throughout the opening set. But up 24-23, and the set on the line, Lady Comet Shaylyn Eason served a winner to secure the win.
The second set didn't have any resemblence to the first at all, as the Lady Cats collapsed in a 25-11 loss to the Comets.
"We did a lot of things right in the opening set. We passed the ball well, communicated on the court and moved great as a defense," Cassville head coach Kyla Walnofer said. "But in the second set we didn't do those things at all. We didn't serve well either missing five serves in a row. I think we let up on them and they took advantage of us right away."
Junior Lady Cat setter Jesse Edie agreed.
"I think we needed to communicate better tonight and play together more as a team, especially in the second set," Edie said. "And we need to learn to finish stronger. "
Coach Engler also felt that the inability of the Wildcat's to get in their early serves played into their hands during the second set.
"Typically we can take advantage of teams when they are down on their serves," said Engler. "I feel like our servers are some of the best in the area- especially with agressive serving."
The new season has been a good one for the Comets. Besides jumping out to a 2-1 start they placed second in last week's Verona Invitational.
Senior Lady Comet Tori Brown, who plays the mid-front and back, said she's pleased with the early season success they've enoyed.
"I'm happy where we are right now- but I know there's room for improvement," said Brown, "but we're very capable of getting done what we need to do."
Kimbra Kirby, a senior who plays a mid-front spot for Marionville, also likes how the Lady Comets are playing.
"We're pulling it together as a team, we're getting a little better this season with each game we play," Kirby said. "I'm really excited to see just how far we can go this year."
Box Score 1 2 3 F
Cassville 23 11 x 0
Marionville 25 25 x 2
