Staff writer
The young Centre High School volleyball team proved its competitiveness in the Centre Invitational Tournament Saturday by winning all three matches in pool play against Herington, Tescott, and Little River.
The Lady Cougars played Berean Academy in the semifinals, losing the first game, 25-17, but coming back to win the second game, 25-23. They were defeated in a close third game, 25-22, putting them into contention for third place.
The team remained strong in the rematch with Little River and won in two games, 25-19 and 25-18, to take third place.
Brenna Shields and Shelby Makovec, two freshmen on the team, played with spirit and drive and seemed to enliven the whole team.
They got off to a slow start, losing to Herington in the first game, 25-14. However, they came back with two decisive victories, 25-14 and 25-18. Beka Basore excelled at the net. She was a perfect 8-of-8 in spike attempts and had four blocks.
That victory built excitement among the players and invigorated them for their match with Tescott. Playing together as a team, they defeated Tescott, 25-19 and 25-22.
Setters Genesis Rudolph and Makovec played almost perfect games, completing 44-of-45 attempts. Brianna Svoboda led at the net with 14-of-16 spikes, five for a kill. She also served four aces.
The last match in pool play was against Little River, a team that has gone far in recent years and had first seed in the tournament. Not deterred by a 25-17 loss in the first game, Centre came back to win two, 25-20 and 25-18.
The team combined for 21 kills and six blocks. Anna Weber put in a good performance with 21-of-23 spikes, nine kills, and two blocks.
With three victories under their belt, the excited team faced second-seeded Berean Academy in the semifinals. They remained undaunted after a 1-2 finish, and defeated Little River for third place.
The team combined for 47-of-49 serves, 37-of-38 sets, and 31-of-34 spikes. Cacey Simons was a perfect 9-of-9 in spikes, five for kills. She also had one block.
Berean Academy won the tournament by defeating Marion in the championship game.
Basore was named to the all-tournament team.
After the tournament, Centre’s record was 5-4.
Goessel triangular
The Lady Cougars split a triangular Sept. 6 at Goessel.
Playing Elyria, they bombed in the first game, losing 25-9. However, they turned things around in the next two games to win, 25-18 and 25-19, for the match.
Carlson served for a total of 12 points. Shields served for seven. Weber and Svoboda combined for 42 spikes and 14 kills. Basore had three blocks.
Rudolph completed 63-of-65 setting attempts. Makovec set a perfect 15-of-15.
Ellie Miller injured her knee, putting her out of commission for the rest of the season.
In games against Goessel, the Lady Bluebirds defeated Centre 25-13 and 25-16.
Simons was Centre’s leading server, serving for five points. Svoboda was 8-of-8 at the net and had three kills. Rudolph missed four of 18 setting attempts. Makovec set a perfect 9-of-9.
The junior varsity defeated Goessel, 25-11 and 25-19. They split games with Elyria, winning the first game, 25-13, and losing the second, 25-12. Makovec served for 5 points and had four individual aces.
