Red takes charge in deciding game
This was a match that came with a wide range of emotions.
The Nebraska Coaches Association all-star volleyball match was at times sloppy, at times an exhibition of the state’s best talent, and at times, just down right intense.
Leigh Connot was experiencing a unique emotion, as well, as she watched her serve float across the net on match point.
“Oh, I about peed my pants,” the recent Lincoln Pius X graduate said. “I thought it was going out.”
Her serve landed deep, but it was in, giving the Red team a 15-9 victory in the fifth and deciding game.
“I thought it was going out,” said Connot, the libero who had a rare serving error early in the match. “I was like, ‘Did I really just do that?’ And then, they called it in. Thank God.”
Mollie Lacy of Lincoln Pius X had two of her team-high 12 kills in the final game to help the Red team finish off the 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 21-25, 15-9 win. The Red scored three of its final four points in Game 5 on unforced errors.
Much of the sloppy play came in Game 1, and late in others. The Red team scored the final three points of Game 2 on hitting errors by the Blue team.
Then the Red team struggled in the third game, when it shifted to a 6-2 system. The Blue squad took advantage, in large part thanks to the kills of Carly Jenson of Millard North. Jenson was one of the stars of the night with a match-high 13 kills.
“(Jenson) took it to us,” coach Mike Smith of Alma said. “I don’t think we stopped her once. We couldn’t get our block over in time. Or, she’d just slam it through.”
Other highlights for the Blue included the athletic blocking of Jenson and Chelsea Snyder of Omaha Skutt. Lincoln Southwest’s Jessica Way had an ace serve on the first point she entered the match. Ann Ahrens of Minden had a cross-court kill that forced the deciding game.
For the Red team, Megan Bober of Elmwood-Murdock kept coming up big in all areas in the second game, and setter Elaina Knowles (Omaha Marian) was key on several plays in the deciding game.
“The match was intense,” said Connot, who will play at Missouri Western. “I was glad it went five. That’s the way it should be — it’s the best girls in the state.”
While there have been all-star matches that included more dominate attackers, and crisper play, Smith will remember this match for some of the strong defensive play.
“It was a nice defensive game,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of these all-star games, and I’m not sure I’ve seen an all-star game with extended rallies because of great defensive plays. Usually it’s serve, pass, and block. We had some rallies that were digs. Girls from both teams were running all over, and that’s exciting.”
Connot will remember how her serve somehow landed in on match point. Also, how surprisingly she enjoyed playing on the same team as several longtime high school rivals.
“The best part was just getting to know the girls outside of the court,” Bober added, “and bonding as a team.”
Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.
The Nebraska Coaches Association all-star volleyball match was at times sloppy, at times an exhibition of the state’s best talent, and at times, just down right intense.
Leigh Connot was experiencing a unique emotion, as well, as she watched her serve float across the net on match point.
“Oh, I about peed my pants,” the recent Lincoln Pius X graduate said. “I thought it was going out.”
Her serve landed deep, but it was in, giving the Red team a 15-9 victory in the fifth and deciding game.
“I thought it was going out,” said Connot, the libero who had a rare serving error early in the match. “I was like, ‘Did I really just do that?’ And then, they called it in. Thank God.”
Mollie Lacy of Lincoln Pius X had two of her team-high 12 kills in the final game to help the Red team finish off the 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 21-25, 15-9 win. The Red scored three of its final four points in Game 5 on unforced errors.
Much of the sloppy play came in Game 1, and late in others. The Red team scored the final three points of Game 2 on hitting errors by the Blue team.
Then the Red team struggled in the third game, when it shifted to a 6-2 system. The Blue squad took advantage, in large part thanks to the kills of Carly Jenson of Millard North. Jenson was one of the stars of the night with a match-high 13 kills.
“(Jenson) took it to us,” coach Mike Smith of Alma said. “I don’t think we stopped her once. We couldn’t get our block over in time. Or, she’d just slam it through.”
Other highlights for the Blue included the athletic blocking of Jenson and Chelsea Snyder of Omaha Skutt. Lincoln Southwest’s Jessica Way had an ace serve on the first point she entered the match. Ann Ahrens of Minden had a cross-court kill that forced the deciding game.
For the Red team, Megan Bober of Elmwood-Murdock kept coming up big in all areas in the second game, and setter Elaina Knowles (Omaha Marian) was key on several plays in the deciding game.
“The match was intense,” said Connot, who will play at Missouri Western. “I was glad it went five. That’s the way it should be — it’s the best girls in the state.”
While there have been all-star matches that included more dominate attackers, and crisper play, Smith will remember this match for some of the strong defensive play.
“It was a nice defensive game,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of these all-star games, and I’m not sure I’ve seen an all-star game with extended rallies because of great defensive plays. Usually it’s serve, pass, and block. We had some rallies that were digs. Girls from both teams were running all over, and that’s exciting.”
Connot will remember how her serve somehow landed in on match point. Also, how surprisingly she enjoyed playing on the same team as several longtime high school rivals.
“The best part was just getting to know the girls outside of the court,” Bober added, “and bonding as a team.”
Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.
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