Mansfield Christian School (MCS) traveled to St. Peter’s Franciscan Activity Center Tuesday evening, toasting the Spartans in three of the four sets, ultimately claiming match victory.
The Flames led the first set, gaining an 8-4 edge after the first time out. They maintained a 3-point margin and ended the first set with a Flame win of 25-17.
Entering the second set, the Spartans picked up their intensity and scored the first point. Both MCS and St. Peter’s maintained impressive volleys; during some of which the ball was exchanged to both sides of the court at least nine times. During one especially suspenseful volley, the St. Peter’s team trailed, 20-21. Spartan Kim Tomchak eventually broke the tension with a kill in an open space in the center of the court, tying up the score.
From there, the Spartans kept the momentum and won the second set with the score 25-23.
The third set brought on some fiery hits from Kristin Kurtz, who scored 12 kills and 5 aces total in the match. While St. Peter’s tied it up at 14-14, and then again at 18-18, they couldn’t overcome the Flames, who gained another win in the third set, 25-20.
The Flames rolled into the fourth set, but the Spartans wouldn’t let up without a fight. St. Peter’s managed a 4-point lead on the Flames at 12-8, but MCS picked up five consecutive points and continued to edge their way to victory with the final set’s score of 25-18.
Freshman Flame Kilee Stoner made seven kills, five aces, and three blocks during the match. Teammate Miranda Young had 12 digs and Lauren Banks provided 18 assists.
St. Peter’s Kim Tomchak had 16 kills and three blocks Carli Malec completed 14 kills and one block, and MacKenzie Lybarger made three kills and one block.
“I got to give the team credit for pulling off the win,” stated MCS coach Barb McLeary. “Although, I felt sometimes that they gave up some points by hitting the ball directly to St. Pete’s.”
St. Peter’s coach Ashley Bodell stated, “Tonight was one of the better games the girls have played,” and continued saying that they’ve lacked in consistency. However, the Spartans almost didn’t have a team this season, starting the first week of practice with six girls and ultimately ending up with eight players.
Both teams will play again on Thursday. MCS will travel to Lucas and St. Peter’s will play in Danville.
