ALTAMONT — Labette County dropped a pair of matches while the Parsons Vikings split a pair as SEK League volleyball play opened up in Altamont on Tuesday night.
Labette County lost to Pittsburg, 2-0 (25-15, 25-19) in its first match.
“We weren’t passing well. We haven’t passed well the majority of the season, so it was really tough to get our offense going when you’re not getting the ball where it needs to go,” Labette County head coach Leigh Ann Phillips said. “That was our biggest struggle there. Pittsburg didn’t do anything special. We just didn’t execute.”
Parsons then lost its match to Independence, 2-1 (28-26, 18-25, 25-22).
The Vikings led, 24-21, in the first set before dropping it.
“We really just couldn’t get a ball down,” Parsons head coach Dara Barr-Miller said. “(Independence’s) defense was really impressive. They covered the floor incredibly well. We couldn’t get the ball down. And we were hanging our heads a little. The atmosphere seemed a little strange and we were flat. We just couldn’t get excitement going.”
In the top-billed meeting of archrivals to end the night, Parsons beat Labette County, 2-0 (25-10, 2522).
“I thought that match could go two ways — we could bounce back from a slow Independence game or not,” Barr-Miller said. “The crowd was helpful. We got going on some runs and I saw the girls’ heads come up. Then we kept going.”
The loss for Labette County was the Grizzlies’ fourth to the Vikings this season.
“Our hustle was there tonight — that was the best I’ve seen us chase down balls and keep it alive,” Phillips said. “We do depend on Amery a ton. But we can’t depend on her 100%. We have to spread the love around a little bit. We have to pull the blockers off and we’re not doing a good job of spreading the ball around.”
Stats were unavailable for both teams for all matches at press time. Pittsburg defeated Independence in the first match of the quad.
Baker recognized
Labette County’s Amery Baker was honored for surpassing 500 career kills, digs and assists on Tuesday night.
“She’s upset because she’s not going to reach 1,000 in any category. But I had to relay to her that she’s at 500 in three categories,” Phillips said. “Her sophomore year, she was our primary setter and didn’t hit. She’s come on as a hitter. So she got to 500 in two years with so-so passing. That accomplishment says a lot about what type of player she is and how versatile she is.”
Up next
Parsons (7-3) and Labette County (3-8) will both compete in the Red Devil Classic at Erie on Saturday.
“We have tough competition there on Saturday,” Barr-Miller said. “It’s going to be a tough day. We’re a light varsity team without a ton of numbers. So the long tournament days are always tough. You have to keep working.”
ABOVE: Labette County’s Amery Baker was honored for surpassing 500 career kills, assists and digs. RIGHT: Ayanna Robertson (11) of the Parsons Vikings goes for a kill against the Labette County Grizzlies. Sean Frye/Sun photos
