Snapping a five-match losing streak and winning their 20th match of the year, the Labette Cardinals split a home tri on Saturday, losing to Seminole State, 3-0, but beating East Central, 3-0.
“The most important thing was getting the taste of losing out of our mouth,” Labette head coach Deardin Kelley said. “Seminole is a really well-rounded team and they really challenged us. When our backs are against the wall, we don’t always rise to the occasion as well as we should with how talented we are.”
In the first match, Labette was swept by Seminole, 3-0 (25-22, 27-25, 25-22) despite holding four-plus-point leads in all three sets.
“When a team gives us a challenge, we are very hit-and-miss with pushing back,” Kelley said. “Sometimes we push against each other and that’s an issue.”
Allie Rushing and Jordyn Drayton each led Labette with seven kills. Amelia Oliver had 14 assits while Evyn Morrow had 13 digs.
Against East Central, the Cardinals cruised, 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-23).
“We put it together,” Kelley said. “When we were in the locker room, we talked it out a little bit. I’m not expecting perfection, but I still expect effort with trying to go in the right direction mentally. They got on the same page and finished business.”
Rushing, who struggled against Seminole State, returned to form with 16 kills on 36 swings with just two errors.
Parsons native Iniya Hinman posted 11 kills and a block.
“I’m proud of Iniya for pushing through,” Kelley said. “She’s been struggling with some injuries. The fact that she came out and gave one of her career highs felt really good.”
Drayton also notched 11 kills for the Cardinals. Charlotte Watson racked up 28 assists while Morrow had 24 digs.
Kelley gets engaged after match After Saturday’s matches, as Kelley and her boyfriend Garrett Francis walked up the hallway, Francis dipped down to one knee and proposed — Kelley said yes in front of her in-the-know roster and awaiting family and friends.
“I really can’t think of a better way to celebrate,” Kelley said. “Everybody there feels like my family. It shows that we’re human. I’m trying to balance my life as much as they’re balancing theirs. We’re all working hard, and we’re still making time for those moments. And I can’t do this job without Garrett. Having a supportive partner is everything. And he understood how much it meant to me. It was awesome.”
Up next
Labette faced NEO A&M on the road on Monday. The Cardinals then return to KJCCC play against Allen in Iola on Wednesday.
If Labette beats Allen and Coffeyville loses to Neosho County on Wednesday, the Cardinals would book their first trip to the postseason since 2014.
“Allen is a good team and they’re really scrappy,” Kelley said. “They’ve got that dog in them. But we’re road warriors. People hate playing at Allen because they have an intense crowd. But I have a group that loves it. They’re crazy. They think it’s so fun. So hopefully some weird factors play in our favor and we can do something fun.”
If the Cardinals lose to Allen, they’ll get a crack at Coffeyville on Oct. 29 at home with the winner advancing to the playoffs.
