Centre Cougars win one, lose one
School spirit was evident Sept. 21 at the volleyball triangular hosted by Centre High School. A lively pep band played between matches, and cheerleaders led an active bunch of students in supporting their team.
The girls won the opening match with Flint Hills of Manhattan in two games, 25-22 and 25-16. They fell to White City in three games, 9-25, 26-24, and 12-25, in the final match of the evening.
The Lady Cougars fell behind early, 10-3, in the first game against Flint Hills. They gradually narrowed the gap, tying at 13 all, before going ahead to a 25-22 finish.
"I was glad we showed up before the end of the game," coach Yvonne Burhoop observed.
The second game was closer, but again Centre pulled ahead to win it, 25-16.
They served 22 of 24 in the first game and 23 of 25 in the second.
On the front line, Jackie Klenda spiked the ball 13 times, produced seven kills, and served two aces. She was followed by Megan Gutsch with 12 spikes and two kills, and Jill Fenske with 11 spikes and one kill.
Brianne Stahlecker provided perfect setting, 18 of 18, and Selena Seifert was 26 of 28.
The girls faced a much tougher White City team in the final match. Strong spikes from the other side sent them to the floor again and again in a largely futile attempt to save the ball.
"We got back on our heels and stayed there," Burhoop said.
With good blocking by Gutsch, the Lady Cougars made a last ditch effort at a comeback, but lost the game, 25-9.
The second game was a much closer match. Although White City led from the beginning, the girls gradually closed the gap and tied the game, 18-18, with strong serving by Klenda.
The lead changed sides several times, with Fenske providing the winning serves for a 26-24 victory.
However, the third game was almost a mirror of game one. The Lady Cougars fell behind quickly and were unable to catch up. They came within 10 points, 22-12, with serving by Selena Seifert, but lost the game 25-12.
The team completed 9 of 10 serves in the first game, 25 of 26 in the second, and 11 of 12 in the third.
Front line defense by Gutsch, Fenske, and Klenda produced 47 spikes and 16 kills. Stahlecker set the ball 23 out of 24 attempts. Seifert was 18 of 20 and aced the ball two times. Alyssa Luna was perfect at four of four.
The junior varsity mirrored the varsity, defeating Flint Hills in two games, 25-16 and 25-18, and losing in three games, 24-26, 25-18, and 8-15, to White City.
