On Tuesday, Aug. 26, the Varsity Volleyball team played Vandegrift High School at home, ending in a 0-3 loss. Tuesday’s game leaves the Mavericks with a 1-1 district record, ranking them 4th in district.
The Mavericks kicked off the first set with a 3-0 streak. The Lady Mavs competed against the district winners from last year, highlighted by sophomore libero Sage Reyes who returned numerous spikes from Vandegrift, allowing the Mavericks to play a close match tying the set 9-9. With neither team able to catch a strong lead the set tied once again at 16-16. Vandegrift eventually was able to secure the lead with the Lady Mavs only six points behind, ending the set 19-25.
“I felt that we did amazing and we were even winning at one point in that first set,” Junior outside hitter Reese Szewczyk said. “You could see on Vandy’s face how down they felt when our energy was high.”
Falling behind early in the second set 5-10, the Lady Mavs tried to rally as Szewczyk powered a spike to cut the deficit to 6-10. The Mavs strung together a three point streak narrowing the score to 8-11, but Vandegrift answered back, extending their lead 15-18. Facing set point at 24-16, the Mavs showed resilience, and an ace from Reyes sparked momentum, with the Mavs fighting back with four straight points leaving the score 20-24. Despite the late push, Vandegrift closed the second set 20-25.
“At the moment when I got my spike, all I was thinking was that I want that set because I know right now is the time I need to get this kill,” Szewczyk said. “I was also thinking that I need to do something to lift my team’s energy.”
The third set slipped away early as Vandegrift jumped out to a 1-10 lead, causing the Lady Mavs to fall behind. Despite cutting the distance late and holding off set point three times, the Lady Mavs fell 13-25, ending the match with a 0-3 loss for the Mavericks.
“Vandy is usually a team we all go into already feeling defeated but this time it was different,” Szewczyk said. “Even though we lost, we worked together as a team and encouraged each other. Our mindset was very confident and encouraging.”
The Lady Mavs will not play this Friday, and will hit the court again next week away on Tuesday, Sept. 2. against Hutto High School.
