Faith Academy volleyball keeps on rolling
CAPTION: Sophomore Ella Claiborne’s strong serving in the fifth set helps the Lady Flames get a big win. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Faith Academy of Marble Falls volleyball team shocked Austin Grace Academy 26-24, 25-20, 25-19 Aug. 28 in The Fire Pit to hand the Lady Griffins (9-1) their first loss of the season.
That came on the heels of the Lady Flames edging San Marcos Hill Country Christian School 25-20, 23-25, 25-22, 15-25, 17-15 Aug. 26.
The contest featured two state tournament teams of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
The Lady Flames (7-2) fought back from trailing 8-14 in the final set to win the match.
At that point sophomore setter Olivia Kraenzel stepped behind the service line and to put the ball in play. By the time she finished, the set is tied at 14-14.
“She goes on a roll,” head coach Erin Sawyer said. “She serves two, they call a timeout. She serves another two, and they call another timeout.”
Finally Hill Country earned the next point for a 15-14 lead but then “make a mistake on their end,” the coach said.
Sophomore Ella Claiborne then stepped behind the service line for the last two points, including the match-winning ace and finished with 11 in the contest, while Kraenzel and senior middle blocker Miley Fessler each had four aces.
Sawyer didn’t pinpoint the exact reason why her team won.
“It was a combination of things,” she said. “Ella is a good server.”We’re still working on her consistency. It’s a combination of her good serves with momentum on our side.”
The other part was purposely not allowing Hill Country freshman Kendra Zeringue to be a factor in the contest.
“We stayed away from her as much as possible,” Sawyer said, crediting her husband, Tom, for helping her develop the game plan.
Part of that protection also goes to senior middle blockers Natalie Weems, a four-year letterman, and Miley Fessler, who each recorded blocks that fell straight down on the other side with no chance for Hill Country to keep the rally going.
“Natalie had an amazing block,” the coach said. “It went straight down. It was gorgeous. Miley had a great block. You do have to practice it. You have to time it correctly, be in front of the ball and hitter. Your arms are at an angle, so it goes straight down. I’m super proud. It was great.”
But no matter how good a game plan is or limiting an opponent’s best player, that doesn’t always equal getting a victory, the coach said. The other important part that can’t be overlooked is having players who are unafraid of the moment and respond to it.
“Through all this stuff, Liv and Ella did the job,” she said. “It was big getting the serves over. And we protected the server cause we kept it going.”
Hill Country, which was the Class 1A state runner-up last season, beat the Lady Flames both times the two teams met.
“For us to come back and beat them is a big deal,” Sawyer said. “Those games are so fun. It was a team effort. The team did a great job of protecting the server and keeping it on our side. Everyone is protecting and doing their jobs.”
STATISTICS
Kills — Ella Claiborne 13, Kerrington Silvers 7, Natalie Weems 6, Miley Fessler 4, Bosley Kuker 1, Olivia Kraenzel 1, Reese Ramsey 1; assists – Chavira 13, Kraenzel 12, Kuker 3, Silvers 1; aces – Clairborne 11, Fessler 4, Kraenzel 4, Ella Chavira 1, Ava Beltran 1, Kuker 1; blocks – Weems 2, Fessler 1; digs – Kuker 20, Claiborne 14, Kraenzel 13, Chavira 4, Fessler 4, Beltran 3, Ramsey 3 Silvers 3; serve-receive – Kuker 35, Claiborne 21, Beltran 15, Silvers 6, Chavira 1, Kraenzel 1
