Lady Chargers Season Ends with Loss to I-35

Herald-Patriot, October 31, 2013
Bill Howes, Associate Editor

Lady Chargers VB Team's Season ends with District loss to I-35

The Chariton varsity volleyball team's season came to a close with a thrilling, hard fought 3-2 loss to Interstate 35 in the first round of District playoff action at the Charger Dome Monday night. The scores of the match were 19-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-10 and 14-16. The loss gave Chariton a final season record of 10-13.

I-35 started out strong and took the first two games 25-19 and 25-20 to take an early 2-0 lead. In the first game the Roadrunners built leads of 17-8 and 19-11 but Chariton battled back. Chariton cut the lead to 21-15 and the Roadrunners responded with two more points to make it 23-15. With Emily Grismore serving Chariton cut into the lead even more and an ace by Grismore cut the lead to 23-19 in front of a loudly cheering Charger crowd. However, following a timeout I-35 scored the final two points to win the first game 25-19.

In the second game, I-35 had good serving and net play early to build a 7-2 early lead.  The Roadrunners led 15-7 at one point, however Chariton battled back to cut it to 15-11.  A couple of kills by Emma Fuhs cut the lead to 16-13 much to the delight of the Charger crowd.

The Roadrunners responded by scoring four straight points to make the lead 20-13.  Chariton once again rallied and came within striking distance, cutting the lead to 23-19.  But the Roadrunners once again finished the game strong scoring two of the final three points to win, 25-20.

In the third game, Chariton received strong serving from Fuhs early to break a 3-3 tie and give Chariton a 10-3 lead.  Chariton was serving well and putting hits in the right places and a kill by Allyson Showers and an ace by Grismore gave them a 14-4 lead.  Chariton built a 19-11 lead but the Roadrunners didn't quit and battled back to cut the lead to 20-17.  An ace by I-35's Slye Richardson cut the lead to 20-18 and a hit by Chariton that went out of bounds cut the lead to 20-19.

However, Taylor Tuley's serving helped Chariton get some breathing room and take a 23-19 lead.  Leading 24-20, Fuhs made a successful kill to give Chariton a 25-20 win and cut the match lead to 2-1.

Chariton was again strong in the fourth game and took early leads of 3-0 and 4-1.  An ace by Fuhs gave Chariton a 6-2 lead and momentum was in their favor.  I-35 scored a couple of straight points but Chariton pushed the lead to 9-4 on a Showers' kill.

A hit into the net by Chariton cut their lead to 11-8.  However, a Tuley kill and a block by Fuhs helped push the lead back to 15-8.  Leading 16-9, Chariton scored six straight points to take a 22-9 lead.  Leading 23-10, Chariton scored the final two points to win the game, 25-10, and even the match at 2-2.

The final game was a nerve wracking nailbiter that was dead even all the way through.  It was 3-3 early and I-35 surged ahead 8-5.  A Tuley kill cut the lead to 8-7 and a hit out of bounds by I-35 cut the lead to 9-8.  The Roadrunners rallied to score three more points to take a 12-8 lead.  Both teams traded kills to make it 13-9.  Behind Tuley's serving, Chariton was able to rally from a 13-10 deficit and tie it at 13 apiece.

With the score tied, Fuhs hit the ball into an empty space to give Chariton a 14-13 lead and be one point away from a victory and advancing to the next round.  However, The Roadrunners scored the next point to tie it at 14-14.  Games have to be won by at least two points and I-35 scored the final two points to win the game, 16-14 and advance.