PARK HILLS, MO – The old adage about it being difficult to defeat an opponent three times in one season came to light last night for Indian Hills as the Warrior volleyball squad fell on the road against Mineral Area, a team IHCC had soundly beaten two time previously this year.
After posting 3-1 victories in the earlier two meetings, Coach Lyndsey Michel's unit ran into a buzz saw Tuesday night at Bob Sechrest Field House as the host Cards turned the tables on the visitors in taking a straight-sets sweep, 26-24, 25-18, 26-24.
Even in defeat, Michel didn't fault her players' performance.
"I'm proud of the effort and execution that our ladies showed, even when calls were clearly not going to go our way," Michel said. "At the end of each set, we just came up a little short and couldn't put two in a row together. There were some big rallies in that gym that really showcased two great teams that probably deserve some national recognition. Both teams could easily be at the national tournament in a couple weeks."
According to Michel, nagging late-season injuries continue to hamper her team's play.
"We are a hurting unit," Michel added. "Precious (Daley) is battling major knee pain and Gabi (Oliveira Cavalcante) and Jenna (Vallee) both play a major role for us and continue to put their tired bodies through the ringer. All that being said, our attitude and effort were there. We controlled the controllable."
Daley, Cavalcante Oliveira and Vallee led the Warriors in kills with 14, 12 and 10, respectively. Cassia Lemos had 40 assists and 15 digs. Anja Vranic led the digs category with 18 while Vallee had 16 and Cavalcante Oliveira had 14. IHCC had just three service errors in the three sets as Bailea Yahnke, Zara McCauley, Lemos and Vallee all had unblemished efforts from the service stripe.
Indian Hills finishes the regular season with a 13-8 record which earns the Warriors the No. 2-seed in the Midwest B District Tournament, which is hosted by IHCC on Friday, April 2 at the Hellyer Center. The Warriors will play at 1 p.m. against the winner of Region XXIV's postseason tournament, which wraps up Saturday night. If IHCC is able to get a victory in that contest, they would meet the winner of that day's 11 a.m. match up between the Region XVI champ and the four-seed from Region XXIV. That Midwest B District Championship is scheduled for 5 p.m. that night and will punch one team's ticket to the NJCAA Championships April 15-17 in West Plains, Missouri.
"Our focus between now and regionals will be slowing down the ball blocking wise," Michel concluded. "We look forward to our matchup on April 2."