After starting the season 1-3, the Cardinal Huskies won five straight games before dropping a non-conference game, then starting a six-game winning streak. Those wins included a five-set thriller against rival Berkshire, and four of the six included straight set victories.
After starting the season 1-3, the Cardinal Huskies won five straight games before dropping a non-conference game, then starting a six-game winning streak. Those wins included a five-set thriller against rival Berkshire, and four of the six included straight set victories.
Oct. 12, the Huskies looked to take first place in the Chagrin Valley Conference’s Valley Division against Kirtland. Though they lost 3-1, they perhaps found some motivation for a strong playoff run.
Thanks to Hornets’ hitting errors, the Huskies jumped out to a 6-4 lead in the first set, then saw their lead dwindle away. Trailing 14-11, Cardinal was forced to call a timeout, and Kirtland went on a 8-3 run before the Huskies called their second timeout of the set.
The Hornets won the first set 25-16 after a couple of hitting errors for the Huskies.
To start the second set, Cardinal jumped out to a 5-1 lead as senior Jessie Proch began to get hot on the outside hitter position. Junior setter Haley Domen got an ace for her team, and Proch recorded three more kills before Kirtland called its first timeout at 7-2.
As the Hornets began to claw their way back, the Huskies’ lead was cut to one at 11-10. Cardinal called a timeout to talk things over. Two kills from junior Lindsay Hissa evened things out at 12.
But three lead changes later, the Huskies would even the match at 1-1, taking set two 26-24.
Kirtland controlled much of the third set after leading 5-2. Cardinal head coach Karisca Chambers and her team called a timeout after trailing 10-4.
After two long rallies that favored the Huskies, with a kill recorded from Hissa and a free ball won from senior libero Alaina Strever, the Huskies trailed 18-14. Strever recorded 23 digs and 15 serve receptions to control much of the back row.
Cardinal fought off three set points before the Hornets took set three 25-20.
The Huskies were forced to call their first timeout in the fourth set when they found themselves trailing 8-4. And when Kirtland had their largest lead of the night at 22-14, the Huskies did all they could to fight back and keep their chances of first place alive.
An ace from sophomore defensive specialist Ronnee Collins cut Kirtland’s lead to just three, but it wasn’t enough — Cardinal again would fight off three match points before dropping set four 27-25 and the match 3-1.
The Huskies will now look to close out their season 15-6 with a conference matchup against Grand Valley and a non-conference game against St. John.
Earlier in the week, the Huskies were voted second in their district tournament, exciting many players.
“We definitely need to come out strong and not get behind early,” said Domen, who would lead the team in assists with 30. Proch and Hissa each recorded 10 kills to lead their team.
As for that newfound motivation, the Huskies and Hornets may meet again in the district finals. As Chambers said: “We will see them in the districts.” With that mindset, surely the Huskies will circle that game on their calendars.
