Volleyball falls to league opponents

Host fifth-ranked Sangre de Cristo this Saturday

Thursday the Lady Titan spikers hit the road to Sanford for a rematch against the Indians. With the goal to try to shake off the mid-season slump, the Titans set a goal to work together and find the fun of playing again. The Titans hit the court with a fresh attitude, battling with the taller Indians’ front line with tough defense to stay in each set.
Defensive specialist junior Rosie Ewert led the way with six big digs on Indian hits to keep the extended rallies alive throughout the match. Junior Suzanna Dumas and senior Sara Sherman led the team with three blocks and three kills each. While the Titans battled hard, the stronger team prevailed and the Indians took the Titans in three sets 14-25, 19-25 and 13-25.
The Titans returned to the road on Saturday to battle the Custer County Bobcats. Custer County is in fourth place in the league and has historically provided tough competition for the Titans. This year is no exception—with the taller line-up than the Titans and a couple of solid hitters, the defense of the Titans needed to shine to survive.
The story of the day was slow starts each set for the Titans. Falling behind each set forced the Titans to have to work harder to stay in each set. After falling behind 7-14 in the first set, the Titans worked together to 20-22 before finally dropping the first set 21-25.
In the second set, the Titans fell behind 0-5 then worked back as strong serving from junior Monika Olesen brought the Titans to within four points. Several key blocks from Sherman and Dumas again helped the Titans inch closer, tying it up 23-23 before losing the second set 23-25.
Once again in the third set the Titans took a nap in serve reception and fell behind 0-6. Digs by junior Rosie Ewert and junior Brittany Barefield and two blocks each from Dumas, Sherman and Monika Olesen provided an opportunity for the Titans to battle back to within two points. Junior Courtney Kopf stepped back and served the Titans to a 20-20 tie and two more long rallies gave the serve back to the Titans trailing 22-24.
Junior Miki Olesen provided the Titans some key pressure serves while the rest of the team battled every point to hold serve and provide the Titans with a hard fought win 26-24.
The fourth set started off with the Titans falling behind 1-6 but this time coming back from the large deficit proved too difficult and the Titans dropped the fourth set and match 17-25.
The next match on Saturday, October 13 is the final home match for the Titans. They will host Sangre de Cristo, which is currently ranked fifth in state and lead the Southern Peaks League. JV will start at noon with varsity to follow.