By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
MILLER, MO — Miller volleyball found itself in an all-too-familiar place during Monday’s Class 2 District 10 championship match.
After getting swept by Diamond in last season’s title match, the top-seeded Cardinals committed a slew of errors and dropped the first set to No. 2 New Covenant Academy (24-26).
Miller head coach Tamra Landers rallied her team in between sets in an attempt to calm the nerves, stem the tide and avoid a season-ending repeat.
“We were playing too safe and scared,” Landers said. “And we were nervous. We had a rough go last year, and I think we had that in the back of our minds. We were scared to lose and scared to win, I think. So, I told them to just settle down, have fun and play your game.”
Message received.
The Cardinals stormed back to win the next three sets en route to a 3-1 victory (24-26, 25 13, 28 26, 25 23) and the program’s fifth district title in the last six seasons.
When they were needed most, Rachel Nunez and Ashlynn Helton delivered. The dynamic Miller duo finished the match with 25 and 24 kills, respectively.
Nunez, in particular, simply would not be denied at the net. Time after time, she came through with clutch kills to extend rallies or, more important, end opposing momentum.
“I was able to get into the groove by getting a great pass and then my setter getting me a great set,” Nunez said. “Whenever we played Marionville, I fell down, and I felt like I let the team down. Tonight, I didn’t let the team down.”
After the match, Landers was quick to recognize her two middles for repeatedly delivering in the clutch for their teammates.
“Rachel and Ashlynn really came through,” Landers said. “Ash has a bum ankle, and she just kept on playing. Every game, they both seem to come through every time.”
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE MATCH
Fortunately for Miller, its defense also proved to be up to the challenge.
No small task, either as, throughout the night, New Covenant was able to match Miller’s front line shot-for-shot, thanks to its own dynamic duo of Ashlynn Mason and Gracie Whalen.
Mason and Whalen combined for 37 kills in the match and repeatedly pushed the Cardinals out of their comfort zone.
Warriors head coach Lindsey Letsinger praised her team for its execution and resilient nature in the match.
“We’re proud of them,” Letsinger said. “They didn’t just keel over; they fought hard, and that’s some of the best volleyball we’ve played all season. We didn’t just give it to them … it was hard fought.
“We’ve got five juniors who will be seniors next year, and they all play varsity. We want to just remember this moment and build on it during the summer and in the offseason.”
New Covenant ends its season with a record of 25-8-4
While redemption proved to be a leading theme for Miller, avenging last season’s defeat wasn’t the only motivating factor this season.
After teammate Mavrie Pritchett was diagnosed with Leukemia during districts last season, the team rallied in support of the junior. While Pritchett has been unable to play, she’s watched from the sidelines this season while undergoing treatment.
Landers wasn’t sure if Pritchett would be able to attend the title match following treatment, but received good news shortly before the start.
“She had chemo today, but she came back,” Landers said. “I knew if she had any chance, she could. Right before the game, she told me she didn’t have to use her wheelchair anymore. So I told the team we’ve got something big to celebrate, and they all cheered. That’s something that’s always in the back of their mind – it’s always there.
“To have her sitting here means a lot, and the girls, they all love Mavrie to death, and they wanted to make it for her.”
Miller’s victory holds a special meaning for Pritchett, as well.
“It really means a lot, because I wasn’t here last year for this game,” Pritchett said. “Watching them win, it’s almost like I win. It’s hard not playing and watching, but I have faith in them all the time, so I know that they can do it any time they want to.”
Next up for Miller (28-6-2) is a Halloween matchup in the Class 2 state sectional round with District 9 champion Mountain View-Birch Tree Liberty (20-9-5).
Stat Leaders
Miller
Kills: Rachel Nunez (25), Ashlynn Helton (24)
Assists: Camden Stockton (57)
Digs: Layni Johnson (32)
New Covenant
Kills: Ashlynn Mason (19), Gracie Whalen (18)
Assists: Chloe Hurst (27)
Digs: Jenna Jackson (30)
