By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The cards played out the way the Strafford Lady Indians had hoped.
At home with the chance to secure the 2024 Class 3 District 10 championship.
The vibe was authentic. It was loud. It was palpable. And it tested the intestinal fortitude of everyone involved, including the fans.
Only problem was their opponent — the top seeded Logan-Rogersville Lady Wildcats —never received the memo and defeated the host Indians in five sets (23-25, 25-16, 25-23, 18-25, 15-13).
In his first season at the helm of the Lady Wildcats, head coach Logan Beach (year three with the program) defied the odds and now will enjoy the new hardware for the trophy case with his Wildcats.
Taking down the potent Indians, a team they previously beat three sets to two back on Sept. 30, simply comments on the state of his program
“We have known Strafford was going to be tough for years to come. They have a really, really strong freshman class; they have a really, really strong senior class,” said Beach. “Those juniors and sophomores in the middle would be the brightest at any school.”
Collectively, the contest paralleled a prize fight, with each team sizing up the other, as points came at all junctures, from all areas of the floor.
“We knew they were going to be really strong,” said Beach. “We beat them earlier in the year, so we knew they were going to be hard.”
After falling in the opening set, the Wildcats scratched it off and regrouped, taking each of the next two sets.
But it was the play in the final and deciding set that summed up the season, as the Wildcats operated with a target on their backs.
“We have a really hard schedule for a reason,” said Beach. “On MaxPreps, we have the hardest schedule in all of Class 3, so we are used to playing tough games and mentally battling through tough moments, and I think that really showed tonight.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE MATCH
And show it did.
First, after being down early and only playing to 15, senior Addie Goff came up with the kill.
After an error, Sidney Holland came up with one as the Wildcats pulled to within three early points, 6-3.
Hailey Buckman then showed her athleticism as her authoritative shot found the hole in the defense.
Addy Hammond added one and, after being down early, the Wildcats were rolling.
“We just kept getting more and more hungry,” said Beach. “We got a lot stronger. Volleyball definitely is a game of runs. My setters have a really good understanding of knowing where the run is coming from and beating that run.”
The Wildcats erased four and five-point deficits midway through the final set to emerge as the victors.
The Wildcats now prepare for next week’s sectionals, where they play host to St. Clair (20-12-2) or Sullivan (14-14-1), who meet for the Class 3 District 9 title on Monday night.
Last year, the Clever Lady Jays won the district, defeating the Wildcats, 3-0.
Strafford was bounced in the semis by the Wildcats, 3-1
Goff said falling in last year’s districts simply fueled the fire for a strong 2024 campaign.
“I feel like it just shows that you can’t be dragged down by one year,” said Goff. “You are very capable of bouncing back and pushing through to what you want, no matter what the circumstances are.”
