MCC spikers lose momentum in loss to Trinidad State

Friday, September 28, 2012
Steve Kodad/McCook Daily Gazette Former Southwest High School standout and MCC freshman Madison Mousel (14) tips the volleyball over the net against Trinidad State (Colo.) Junior College Sept. 27 at the MCC Events Center.

The McCook Community College women's volleyball team hasn't learned to hold momentum on its side of the court for an entire match.

The Indians battled with Trinidad State (Colo.) Junior College Thursday, Sept. 27, at the MCC Events Center. After an exciting 29-27 MCC win in the opening set, Trinidad won the next three sets by scores of 25-15, 25-18 and 25-15 to claim the match victory.

In each set lost, the hosts played tough early before letting the Colorado squad pull away late in each game.

Steve Kodad/McCook Daily Gazette Kyra Stark of McCook Community College sets the volleyball during MCC's four-set loss to Trinidad State (Colo.) Junior College Sept. 27 at the MCC Events Center.

"We play close but we can't finish," said MCC head coach Natalie Alred. "We were passing fairly well before, and then at the end our passing, we weren't getting them up in front of the 10-foot line, which really limits where the setter can go, so it means (opposition's) blocks are going to be there, gives them extra time.

"It all revolves around that serve receive. When we're passing well, we play well. The first game we came back because we starting passing really, really well. We were serving better. Then we would have three missed serves in a row, which breaks your momentum. Those are things as a young team, we've got to work on and get a little better on. We're showing progress, getting more and more people hitting the ball. We've just got to finish the matches."

Trinidad led 27-26 in the opening set, but three straight miscues by the visitors helped MCC claim the set win. In game two, MCC watched a 11-10 deficit swell quickly to 18-10 midway through the set, and the Indians couldn't come back.

In the third set, MCC rallied within 15-14 on an ace serve by Germany native Vanessa Bartilla and a tipped point by Samantha Kramer (Mullen, Neb.). Trinidad stretched the gap to 19-14, but a kill by Kramer and an ace serve by Cambridge freshman Brooke Juhl kept MCC close. McCook stayed within three points until Trinidad scored four unanswered points to claim the set win.

The visitors pulled away midway through the fourth and final set, turning a 7-6 lead to a 15-10 advantage. Trinidad stretched the lead to 20-13, then outscored MCC 5-2 to end the match.

McCOOK HAS has two more weekend matches against Colorado foes. MCC hosts Otero Junior College of LaJunta Friday, Sept. 28, starting at 7 p.m. at the MCC Events Center. The Indians entertain Lamar C.C. Saturday, Sept. 29, with a 1:30 p.m. start time following the Heritage Days parade.

The MCC team will ride a float in the parade to join in the community celebration.

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