HILLSBORO, MO – It had been 3 ½ weeks since Indian Hills Volleyball had suffered a defeat, but its eleven-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt last night at the Jefferson County Field House as the host Vikings upended the Warriors in four sets, 25-20, 27-25, 18-25 and 25-20.
The score had been reversed just eleven days prior to last night’s matchup when IHCC (12-6) had taken a four-set victory at the Hellyer Center, but the Warriors were unable to complete the season sweep with Jefferson (7-10).
“We struggled on the defensive side last night, which hampered our ability to get into our offense all night,” said IHCC Head Coach Lyndsey Michel. “Jefferson was scrappier this go-around and I felt like they cleaned up their defense and were much more intentional. Our blockers were struggling to make decisions, and our defense behind them were left with too many holes to fill.”
The result was a recipe for Jefferson to emerge as the team that was setting the tempo in the rematch, allowing for the host Vikings to attack up front and be the more aggressive serving squad.
After IHCC dropped the opening set, something the Warriors did in the March 5 matchup as well, the two squads went into extended play to decide who would take control of the match, and it was Jefferson that got the better of it, winning 27-25 to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
“There were times that we found good rhythm,” Michel explained. “But it was too sporadic and we tried to battle, but it wasn’t enough.”
The Warriors did show signs of life in the third set with a 25-18 win, but too many errors at the net ultimately would do in IHCC as Jefferson took a five-point victory to clinch it.
“Precious (Daley) struggled. Gabi (Cavalcante Oliveira) struggled,” Michel said. “We’ve been hitting .300 or better for quite some time lately, and last night we were at .180. That’s not going to get it done.”
Cavalcante Oliveira led the team in kills with 16, followed by Daley with 13. Jarolin de los Santos added 8 and Jenna Vallee chipped in with five. Cassia Lemos dished out 40 assists while Anja Vranic collected 17 digs.
The Warriors have little time to dwell on the loss as they jump back into ICCAC play Thursday night at West Burlington against Southeastern. Michel’s squad will wrap up conference play with a tall task as they travel to Council Bluffs on Sunday to face No. 5-rated Iowa Western in the league finale. IHCC will conclude its regular season schedule on Tuesday, March 23 against Mineral Area in Park Hills, Missouri.
Thursday’s match up with the Blackhawks begins at 7 p.m.