UNION CITY – Mississinawa Valley played a very competitive game but came up short in set three and dropped a 3-1 match to visiting Bethel on Thursday.
The Hawks came out slow in the opening set and found themselves down 15-4. MV never mounted much of a challenge with unofficially 13 unforced turnovers that led to Bethel points as the Hawks dropped the opening set 25-13.
“I honestly don’t know why we came out slow tonight,” Mississinawa Valley volleyball coach Billie Hunt said.
“I know we are better than that, and I told them to get the look off your faces. This isn’t the team we are. We need to go out and play motivated with energy, and they did immediately in the second set,” Coach Hunt added.
Mississinawa looked like a different team in the second set. The Hawks played with energy and enthusiasm and precise play. Their passing was better and hitting and service better, all which resulted in a 25-18 decision.
Set three would be crucial. With the Hawks leading 23-22 and scoring what looked like a point to go up 24-22 … it was nullified by the referee who called a double hit and the point given to the Bees, which was not well received by the fans.
With the score tied at 23 Bethel served out to win the crucial third set, 25-23.
Mississinawa gave good effort in the final set but came up short, 25-18, losing 3-1 to the Bees.
“I told the girls after I’m OK if we lose when we play motivated and with energy … take away the first set and we gave them a run for their money,” Coach Hunt said.
We are a young team this year despite having four seniors,” Coach Hunt said. “Two played last year, but two didn’t. I have a freshman and a sophomore all going out there playing so we are getting experience as we go.
“Not only are we young … but we are a small team, too, and with only eight players my girls have to work hard, and I’m proud of what they are doing. Despite numbers and size, we will battle anyone and give them a run for their money,” Coach Hunt concluded.
The Blackhawks were led by Stevi Keen with 16 digs, and MaKenna Price had 14. Sidnie Hunt had 13 assists and eight kills. Olivia Murphy added 14 assists with eight kills. Amanda Armstrong had seven kills and four blocks while Lindsay Johns and Riley Price each had three blocks.
Mississinawa will be back in action on Tuesday when the Hawks travel to Ansonia for their backyard rivalry game.
