TROY – Mississinawa Valley took on Emmanuel Christian in the first round of the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division IV volleyball tournament.
The Hawks started slow and were a step behind the entire night, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Lions.
“We played slow tonight,” Mississinawa Valley coach Billie Hunt said. “I think they wanted to be here and wanted to play, but we were just out of sync most of the night.”
The Hawks would trail 10-5 early and fall further behind as the first set went along many times due to mental mistakes.
Trailing 17-9 the Hawks then started to claw their way back … but the deficit was too big to overcome as they dropped the first set 25-18.
“We got a spark there at the end of the first game, and then Sidnie (Hunt) came out and pounded five straight serves to give us a 5-0 lead in the second set, and I thought, here we go,” Coach Hunt said.
That lead, however, quickly dissipated as the Hawks fell right back into the slow groove and found themselves trailing 10-8.
“We went right back to early game and season errors, making poor decisions … when that ball isn’t there to do that then we should be doing it,” Coach Hunt said.
The Hawks battled, staying close and knotting the score at 19 before Emmanuel Christian got some separation with some strong play at the net to take set two 25-21.
Mississinawa Valley dropped the third set 25-17, ending its season.
“We really felt like we could compete tonight … but just didn’t have our best game,” Coach Hunt said. “I’m sorry for my four seniors (Amanda Armstrong, Kinsie Blocher, Stevi Keen and Mackenna Price) the season has ended, and I really enjoyed coaching them over the years.
“Even though we had four seniors, only two of them had much experience so we were young.
“I’m really excited for our future. We will return four starters and have two spots to fill.
“I have Sidnie and Olivia (Murphy) returning as seniors. I think the energy and passion they have for volleyball will help inspire the rest of the team … and I know these girls are ready to put the work in required in the offseason to get better,” Coach Hunt concluded.
