After dropping a nail-biter to Haines Middle School's undefeated eighth-grade A squad, Faith Christian bounced back with a vengeance to sweep Haines' eighth-grade B team 25-7, 25-18 in varsity volleyball action Thursday at FCA.
The Falcons faced a daunting challenge in the 8A match. Haines entered play today with an unbeaten record in the Two Rivers Conference behind a bevy of powerful servers and spikers, an excellent group of passers and diggers and a deep roster. But despite playing just seven players in back-to-back matches today, FCA was unfazed for much of the match, building a 24-19 first-set lead behind standout digging and passing to setter, a whopping 33 three-contact series, two service winners from Anneliese Lockner and a pair of aces by Lauren Caprini. But, with its back to the wall, Haines turned to its top server, who blistered Faith with a series of powerful serves for seven consecutive points to wipe out a five-point deficit and give the Hurricane a tense two-point victory.
Haines then built leads of 8-2, 13-5 and 18-7 in the second set before Faith staged an exciting rally. Three service winners by Anna Verhage, two kills apiece by Anneliese and Ally Will and service winners by Nicki Smith and Anneliese inched FCA within striking range of the lead at 22-20, but Haines recovered to score the last three points of the set and clinch the match.
To the team's credit, the Falcons pushed the disappointment of the loss behind them and played a terrific match in the nightcap. Playing on just a few minutes' rest between matches against a fresh Haines 8B squad, FCA made quick work of the Hurricane in the first set. Leading 8-5, Meagan Clemens boosted Faith to a 17-5 advantage behind 10-for-10 serving with five service winners. The Falcons then overwhelmed Haines with precision passing to setter, two digs apiece from Anneliese and Jessica Smith and kills from Lauren (3), Anna Verhage (3) and Ally off beautiful sets from Nicki and Anneliese.
Haines played much better in set two, carving out a 14-9 lead before the Falcons roared back to score 13 of the last 15 points of the set and claim the match. Meagan started the run with an ace, and Anna delivered 6-for-6 serving to propel FCA into the lead at 19-18. Anna, Anneliese, Lauren and Ally combined for 13 passes to setter, deftly digging up one hard-driven spike and tip after another, while Ally pounded two kills and a crafty tip kill beyond the blockers' reach, and Jessica finished the match with a block kill that Haines couldn't return. Despite playing only seven players for both matches against Haines' deep 8A and 8B rosters, the Falcons looked like the fresher team down the stretch, piling up 37 three-contact series in the second set of the second match. Great job, girls!
Six Falcons shared the hustle and best attitude awards led by Ally, who injured her wrist when she landed hard on her right hand while diving for a dig in the first set of the 8A match but later returned to action and gave Faith a strong all-around performance in both matches. Way to gut it out for the team, Wally World!
After a long weekend, the Falcons practice on Tuesday to gear up for a home match with Thompson Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 17. The varsity squad is now 16-4 on the season while the JV is 12-2 after beating Haines' 7B team in two sets and losing to the Hurricane's 7A squad in three sets today. (More details to come on the 7th-grade matches.) FCA now owns a 28-6 overall record, edging the team within seven victories of Faith's single-season wins record of 35 set in 2011.
