Dragons Rally Past Blue Jays

By ERIC X. VICCARO

EVICCARO@STEGENHERALD.COM

The Ste. Genevieve High School volleyball capped off the week in thrilling fashion, rallying to beat Jefferson R-7.

The Dragons won in four by scores of 23-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21 at raucous Peggy J. Johnson Gymnasium. The Ste. Genevieve “rowdy crowd” came dressed in construction gear.

Well, in the end, the Dragons constructed a solid victory.

“In the R-7 match, we used the first set to learn what Jefferson does,” head coach Carla Basler said, “and then we made adjustments on our block so we could help our defense get in the right spot.”

Basler said the Dragons began better reading the opposing team’s hitters and their approaches at the net. It was a matter of covering the Blue Jays’ tips. Ste. Genevieve hitters and setters also connected better.

The coach said there’s still plenty of room for improvement, and it’s a good thing the season is very young.

“We learned that we have to fix the errors on our side of the net,” Basler said. “Our focus is on cleaning up our side.”

Ste. Genevieve won the match despite only a .100 hitting efficiency. But, the Dragons were strong enough at the net, they held Jefferson to a meager .053 attack number.

Ste. Genevieve is adjusting to new players in new roles this season, with Devyn Basler and Arie Taylor replacing Brittney Kreitler as part of a shift from a 5-1 to a 6-2 offense. Basler and Taylor dished off 19 and 17 assists, respectively.

Maya Watts has taken over the libero duties from Maci Reynolds with 16 digs, or four scoops per set.

The net patrol now features Abby Moore, Dru Koetting and A.J. Prudent in prominent positions. Moore powered 14 kills and Koetting 10. Moore also had six solo ace blocks and Prudent four.

Basler also chipped in with two ace serves and Lexy Parmer contributed 14 digs off the bench.

OTHER MATCHES

Speaking of rallying, Ste. Genevieve did just that on Tuesday, Aug. 31, as well with the Dragons topping homestanding Festus by scores of 22-25, 25-22, 16-25, 27-25, 15-13.

Koetting paced the Dragons with 18 kills while Watts scooped up 23 digs. Moore added 13 kills. Devyn Basler and Taylor joined forces for 37 assists. Prudent finished with a team-leading nine solo ace blocks.