Essex, Missouri - Tuesday night, the Richland Rebel Varsity Volleyball Team got their first win of the season. The JV and the Varsity teams both played three sets, so it was a long night for all the players and coaches. The Richland Rebels hosted their second home game of the season against the Zalma Bulldogs. It was an exciting six games for the crowd, but it was more exciting when the home team took both of the wins.
The JV team started off strong, with nearly a ten point lead on their opponent within the first set. Sophomore Breanna Williamson led Richland’s JV team with four straight serves and two aces. Later in the game, the Zalma Bulldogs began to catch up and tied with the home team. The tie continued for the rest of the game, but the Bulldogs won the set with a final score of 26 to 24.
During the second game, Richland took the lead and continued to keep it. The freshmen players did a great job with sets and tips, especially Richland’s setter, Gerlynn Grossius. Sophomore Jordan Head also got multiple tips throughout the night and played great defense for the Lady Rebels. The second game was won by the home team, with a final score of 25 to 16. The Rebels really stepped up their game and were able to overcome their opponents.
After learning from their previous mistakes, the third game was owned by the Rebels from the start. Freshman Aleena Robbins played great defense and had multiple good passes for the home team. The Zalma Bulldogs did not even have a chance to score until later in the game when the Rebels had already stolen the lead. The Bulldogs were stuck under ten points until the very end of the set. The Lady Rebels took the final win for the JV team with a final score just like the previous game, 25 to 16.
The varsity game was just as interesting as the JV game with the same three sets. Just like JV, the Varsity team lost their first set to the Zalma Bulldogs. All of the senior players and their junior starter, Regan Manes, played hard and got multiple points. The game was tied constantly and although the Rebels had nearly a ten point lead, they eventually lost it and the visiting team won the first set with a final score of 25 to 23.
The Rebels bounced back the second game and instantly took the lead. Senior setter for Richland, Ashley Lane, started the scoring streak by setting for senior hitter, Mackenzie Williams. The two did a fantastic job and got most of the team’s points together. Richland had great defense played by seniors McKenzie Hillis and Katlynn Rofkahr. The Lady Rebels stole and held the lead all throughout the second set and ended the game with a score with a bigger gap, 25 to 19.
The last set was a battle for both teams, but the Lady Rebels came out on top once again. The Zalma Bulldogs never seemed to give up and they would always start out slowly and then begin to catch up, but they did not get the chance to catch the Rebels during this game. The varsity players did an amazing job throughout all three games. There were some really great plays by senior Mackenzie Williams and defensive player, junior Regan Manes. The Lady Rebels walked out with the win with a score of 25 to 18.
It was an exciting win for both Richland teams. The Rebels are now preparing for a busy week of volleyball as they play at Bell City tomorrow, September 19th, and at home on Friday, September 20th against the Advance Hornets.
