DELPHOS – The Versailles Lady Tigers volleyball team became co-champions of the Midwest Athletic Conference Thursday evening by sweeping Delphos St John’s in straight sets 25-14, 25-22 and 25-17.
The Versailles victory combined with a Marion Local loss to Coldwater gave the Lady Tigers league honors.
“We stayed consistent enough to get on the winning side,” Lady Tigers coach Kenzie Bruggeman said. “We did what we had to do to win … our serving was very aggressive.”
The Versailles offensive attack was very aggressive in set one. The Tigers broke out to a 14-6 lead and never looked back. Strong serving runs matched with powerful net play gave the Lady Tigers the first stanza 25-14.
St. John’s made a much better showing in the second set, and the Lady Blue Jays showed why they had been ranked in some of the state polls earlier in the season. Despite trailing 17-12 and 20-14 they managed to pull within two at 24-22. Versailles, using its final timeout, regrouped and scored the next point to take the set 25-22.
The Lady Blue Jays came out determined not to let the third set be the final one of the night. St John’s built leads of 6-2 and 10-5 before Versailles could begin to stop the onslaught. The Lady Tigers tied the game at 10, and then play went back and forth until 15-all. From that point on, Versailles outscore DSJ 10-2 to win set three 25-17 and take the match.
Tournament action now lies ahead for Versailles.
“I’m glad we have a little break,” Coach Bruggeman said. “Give the girls a rest. We’ve had a tough last two weeks … now we have another job to do.”
