ST. JAMES — Martin County West had played two five-game matches this season but never down 2-0 in games.
On Tuesday, in the semifinals of the Section 2A, South Subsection volleyball tournament, the top-seeded Mavericks faced a 2-0 deficit against St. Clair.
“We knew we just had to keep working together,” senior setter Janaya Anderson said. “Try to keep our focus, play our game, play hard.”
The formula worked as Martin County West rallied for a 12-25, 15-25, 25-18, 25-19, 15-11 victory.
“We kind of had a deer-in-the-headlights look in those first two games,” coach Travis Anderson said. “Things weren’t going our way, but we had to keep the faith. As a coaching staff, we had to stay positive.”
The first game was close until Joni Lillo served six straight points, including three consecutive aces, as St. Clair went ahead 17-8. Kelsi Huxford took the line with the Cyclones up 19-12 and served out the game, hitting three aces.
The second game went much the same way as St. Clair never trailed. Huxford had an ace serve, and Cassandra Hytjan had two aces as the Cyclones went up 13-5. Anna Arnold’s two ace serves helped Martin County West pull within 21-15, but Huxford again served out the game, with Erin Goebel making a kill for game point.
It looked like St. Clair was going to avenge a 3-0 loss to Martin County West during the Valley Conference season.
“I think we were a little nervous, I don’t know,” Janaya Anderson said. “It was good we were able to come back.”
Martin County West got through Game 3 with just one scare. Kelsey Jensen had a block and kill as Martin County West went up 13-5, but Lillo had five kills to rally the Cyclones within 14-12. The Mavericks regrouped as Kim Fuller had two kills and two blocks to finish the game at 25-18 on Maggie Prunty’s kill.
St. Clair went ahead 10-5 in the third game when coach Anderson saw the momentum start to change. Prunty had three kills and Janaya Anderson made two ace serves as the Mavericks pulled ahead 12-11. The teams were not more than one point apart until Martin County West finished on an 8-1 run, with Prunty making two kills.
“I thought if we got through the fourth game, we’d have the momentum and confidence,” coach Anderson said. “I thought we could pull it out in the fifth.”
Martin County West scored the first seven points of the deciding game, with Fuller making a kill and block.
Anna Arnold led Martin County West with 12 kills and four ace serves, and Prunty had 10 kills. Janaya Anderson made 32 assists, including the 1,000th of her career.
Goebel led St. Clair with 17 kills, and Lillo had 14 kills and five ace serves.
Martin County West plays at 6 p.m. Thursday in the subsection championship game against Nicollet at Martin Luther College.
“We aren’t ready to be done, that’s for sure,” Janaya Anderson said. “Playing in the tournaments is something we always hoped we could do. It’s finally paying off, all the hard work.”
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