By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
Balance was the key Tuesday night in Mahomet-Seymour’s ability to bounce back from a first-set loss in its volleyball season-opener.
Seven Bulldogs delivered kills in the second set against visiting Champaign Central, a set in which M-S never trailed, and the team finished strong in the decisive third set as Stan Bergman won his coaching debut at the school.
“It was a collective win,” Bergman said.
M-S upended the Maroons 21-25, 25-19, 25-17.
“We came in wanting to learn a little about ourselves,” Bergman said, “and I’m trying to learn more about them.”
He discovered positives as well as areas that need attention.
“I’m learning there’s a lot of integrity and the ability to fight through things,” Bergman said, “and I’m learning that I really enjoy coaching them.”
Seniors landed big-time performances in the season-opener.
Setter Kayin Garner handed out 37 assists. Classmate Lauren Minick led the defense with 17 digs.
The back-row play – which also included 14 digs from senior Ellie Beach – caught the attention of Central coach Mike Deterding.
“They received well,” he said.
Junior Ainsley Ranstead led the Bulldogs’ offensive attack with 13 kills. She landed at least four kills in all three sets.
Senior Amber Yeakel had six kills as well as the block which accounted for the 25th point in the second set.
“In the second and third sets, we served well and passed well,” Bergman said.
The serving was in contrast to what took place in the first set. M-S missed on six of its serves.
“We were not giving ourselves a chance to make them make a pass,” Bergman said. “I’m proud of the resiliency and integrity coming out in the next set.
“They didn’t want to stop playing.”
There were four ties in the third set before M-S took control, breaking a 13-13 tie and scoring 12 of the final 16 points.
“When I look at this team, the majority were starters,” Bergman said. “They’ve been there, done that.
“What we needed was to put it together in practice. Tonight was a good step.”
Sophomore Haylie Orton led M-S with three blocks. Beach served two aces.
Garner, who drew the praise of her coach for “running after balls and not giving up on anything,” involved more hitters than just those in the front row.
She not only utilized Ranstead out of the middle back, but also junior Josie Hess.
“That’s a much different look hitting out of the right back (with Hess),” Bergman said. “It allows us to have two attackers out of the back row.”
The M-S junior varsity lost its opener to Central, 25-23, 25-16.
The Bulldogs return to action Saturday at home against St. Joseph-Ogden, which lost in three sets on Tuesday to Decatur St. Teresa.
