It took a five-set thriller to settle the game but in the end, it was Midland Classical that survived in a nondistrict clash against Compass Academy Tuesday night at Compass Academy.
Playing at home for the second time this season, the Lady Cougars fell to 11-5 overall while the Knights moved to 11-5 as Midland Classical won by scores of 25-20, 16-25, 25-23, 19-25 and 15-11.
For Midland Classical head coach Lauren Dennard, it didn’t surprise her that Tuesday’s game took five sets to settle.
The Knights had also been dealing with injuries as they worked back in setter Julia Schulz back into the lineup who had been out for over two weeks with a torn quad.
“I knew that they had a good offense coming in and we had a good match to that but we’ve been working (Schulz) back in slowly,” Dennard said. “I knew it would be up and down. We also have two freshmen. That’s always kind of a 50-50 on how they perform. I think they did well and played their roles well. It was a good team win. We needed that.”
It was the first five-set match for the Lady Cougars this season.
“It was good for us,” Compass Academy head coach Christina Bush said. “This was our first five set matchup for the season. To get this experience and see where we are and the challenge against a good team, was crucial but we have some work to do.”
Both teams kept it close throughout the first set.
The Knights took a 21-18 lead before Compass Academy called a timeout.
However, the Lady Cougars didn’t go down without a fight and got the next two points to make it a one-point set.
A kill by Reese Casey for Midland Classical made it 23-20 soon after and the Knights were able to take the set.
The Knights continued where they left off, as they began the second set with a 3-0 run.
However, the Lady Cougars jumped right back in it and consecutive errors from Midland Classical helped make it 3-3.
Compass Academy continued its run and went on a 4-1 stretch.
However, Midland Classical then went on a 6-1 run to take a 10-8 lead.
It wasn’t long until the Lady Cougars went on a quick turnaround and were in front, 19-14.
Compass Academy was able to keep up its momentum and took the second set to tie everything up.
The Knights began the third set on a 7-3 run.
A block by Reese made it 10-6, Midland Classical, soon after.
A kill by Peyton Stewart brought the Lady Cougars to within three on the next play.
A service error gave the visitors a 15-13 lead before a kill by Camille Kubacak brought the Lady Cougars to within one.
As both teams traded points, the Knights took a 24-22 advantage before Compass Academy called a timeout.
Midland Classical would get the point they needed on an error to clinch the set and take a 2-1 lead.
The Lady Cougars were in more control of the fourth set.
Compass Academy began the fourth set on a 5-2 run.
A kill by Midland Classical’s Kampbell Stephens brought her team to a three-point deficit before the Lady Cougars responded with a quick 4-0 run to take a 16-9 advantage.
Compass Academy would not be denied in the fourth and the Lady Cougars closed out the set with a 25-19 win to force a fifth.
“I told them going in to that fifth set that they needed to expect a point by point match and to not be afraid of it,” Dennard said. “They needed to embrace it and overcome their fear of that and to challenge themselves. I think our juniors and seniors stepped up well. When it counted, they made the plays.”
Just like the rest of the game, both teams refused to concede as Compass Academy and Midland Classical traded points to start the fifth set.
A kill by the Knights gave them a 7-6 edge.
On the ensuing play, the Knights’ error on the serve tied it right back up.
A kill by Casey helped Midland Classical to a 10-8 lead.
After coming out of a timeout, the Lady Cougars couldn’t keep the ball in bounds on consecutive plays and found themselves in a 12-8 hole before calling another timeout.
However, the Lady Cougars went on a 3-0 run to pull themselves back in it.
It wouldn’t be enough as Midland Classical scored the last two points to clinch the game.
“We need to work on our serves and receives,” Dennard said. “We were inconsistent on that. Honestly, we’ve been working on those at every single practice but it’s an art that needs to be mastered. Our just have to be comfortable doing that.”
The Lady Cougars will have a small break in their schedule before resuming on Sept. 9 with a match at Monahans with Clint and Mountain View.
“We’ll give them a day off but we made this preseason as strong as we can so that we can get ready for district,” Bush said. “We’re going to get a break and then continue to work together and fix the mistakes that we’re making and really get our setters and hitters work better together.”
