Lady Cardinals crushed by Grizzlies attack

By DONN ADAMSON\Daily Journal Sports Editor

PARK HILLS - The West Plains Grizzlies proved why they have been nationally ranked in volleyball for the past nine years Thursday evening when they mercilessly pounded kill after kill at the Mineral Area College Lady Cardinals for a 30-20, 30-28, 30-23 win improving their record to 29-8 and remaining eighth ranked this year.

Mineral Area (27-15) had difficulty in defending the multi-hitters that the Grizzlies used to execute their win. The blocking that had stolen a win away from Three Rivers on Wednesday was not very effective against West Plains on Thursday. The Grizzlies scored 48 points on kills while the Lady Cardinals only had 27 in the match.

West Plains, whose coach, Trish Knight, has been named Region Coach of the Year 10 of the last 12 years, and has guided the Grizzlies to six straight Region 16 titles, set the ball short and high and from side to side, mixing up the pattern so that Mineral Area's blockers could not react in time.

Even when they went into a lull of hitting the ball out on their attacks, the Grizzlies did not falter but continued to execute their plan of attack.

The Lady Cardinals did have some bright spots in the match. After falling behind in game one, MAC came back on the serve of Cassidy Wisdom as the Lady Cardinals stiffened on defense and the West Plains hitters seemed to apply more power to their attacks which only resulted in balls being hit out instead.

The Lady Cardinals tied the game up at 8-8, but the Grizzlies adjusted their attacks and once again gained the lead. At 16-13, Mineral Area coach Tim Copeland called time to hopefully stop the game from getting away.

MAC stayed close until at 20-17, West Plains leap-frogged to 25 points with the Lady Cardinals hitting attack after attack out of the court. What wasn't hit out was usually blocked by the Grizzlies defense. The two teams traded side-outs until the Grizzlies had won.

In game two it was just about all West Plains blocking to start the game, which resulted in the Lady Cardinals playing defense, and the constant attacks by the visitors began to take its toll. The Grizzlies stepped out to a 16-8 lead, and Coach Copeland again called time.

Whatever was said must have had affect as the Lady Cardinals turned it up a notch and closed the gap to three points at 20-17. Tiara Boyer served MAC to within a point at 23-22 and this time it was Coach Knight's turn to call time.

Boyer continued to serve and after two kills by Wisdom, MAC had its first lead. One of the longest points of the match occurred with MAC leading 27-26. West Plans hammered the ball at Mineral Area's defense and time after time, libero player Jessica Murdick came up with the dig to keep the play alive, until finally Wisdom drilled a kill down the front of the West Plains blockers.

West Plains called time and the Grizzlies came out on the attack. Two kills later the score was tied at 28. A spike by the Lady Cardinals hit only the net to give the Grizzlies game point, and Coach Copeland asked for time. The Lady Cardinals came back to the court only to lose the game on the next serve.

“West Plains is a highly ranked team. They (the Lady Cardinals) had a chance to make a statement for themselves. They had an opportunity to go four games with them. They were up 28-26 in that second game, and just gave them four points including the game point,” said Copeland after the match.

Mineral Area's attack became negligible at the start of game three. West Plains continued to keep the Lady Cardinals on the defensive, scoring nearly as much on their blocks as their attacks.

West Plains' hard-hit attacks had MAC's backcourt players staying back to defend them which allowed the attackers to dink the ball over MAC's blocks to he open court behind. The Grizzlies stepped out to a 12-6 lead, and upon having the six point advantage, rode out the game by maintaining it for the win.

“We had no energy, no enthusiasm tonight,” cited Copeland as to the difference between the Lady Cardinals comeback win the night before and the loss to West Plains on Thursday.”

Monika Jaroszewicz, despite being constantly double-blocked all night managed eight kills as did Boyer. Wisdom had five kills and 18 digs. Jennifer Gabrian made 20 assists, and Chelsey Morris made 13 digs.

West Plains had six players with six kills or more. Joelle Mafo led the way with 10 and Amy Lusk had nine.

The Lady Cardinals will host SW Illinois on Tuesday which will be their last home game.