The Kahok volleyball players gave each McCluer North player a flower before the game as a show of support for the team from the Ferguson-Florissant school district whose school and practices were derailed for the past two weeks by the violent protests in Ferguson. The teams posed together for a picture before the game, and the Kahoks preceded to sweep the Stars in two games.
Collinsville raced out to a 5-0 lead in the first game, before the Stars reeled off four straight points. No more than two points separated the two teams for the remainder of a game that ended in a 28-26 CHS victory.
With McCluer North leading 24-23 and on the verge of a first game victory, Sydney Butterfield hammered home a winner to tie the match. The teams traded points until the Stars hit consecutive balls in the net to give Collinsville a victory in a hard-fought match.
The second game was one of runs for both teams. The Kahoks raced out to an 8-3 before the Stars bought back to make the score 10-8.
Collinsville took advantage of two service winners from Meredith Huffman and two kills from Gabby Hancher on their way to a 15-9 lead. After the Stars tightened the score to 16-12, Gabby Morgan took over from the service line.
Morgan served up four service winners as Collinsville ran off six straight points to build what appeared to be a commanding 22-12 lead. Kahoks Head Coach Tracy Plagemann praised Morgan’s serving ability
“Her serve is incredible, hard, fast and flat,” Plagemann said.
The McCluer North Stars, however, were undaunted by the run and reeled off six consecutive points of their own.
Hancher killed the rally with a kill of her own. She also spiked home the winner two points later to give the Kahoks a 25-20 win and a sweep. Collinsville moved to 1-0 on the season, McCluer North is now 0-2.
Ellie McCarthy had eight kills to lead the Kahoks. Hancher’s seven were good for second best. McCarthy also served up five service winners. Alyssa Capizzi had 20 assists to lead the Kahoks.
McCarthy had a great game, Plagemann said.
“She’s a kid that I expected to step up this year, and I’m happy with what I saw from her,” Plagemann said.
McCluer North is located just a few miles from Ferguson, Mo. Head Coach Nathan Kern said the team, with school closed and no access to the gym as a result of the often violent protests in Ferguson, had to scramble for practice space.
The team initially found a sand volleyball court at a local park, before getting a day at St. Louis Christian College, Kern said.
McCluer North’s Kayleigh Menke said she and her teammates appreciated the roses and the sentiment.
“It meant a lot,” Menke said. “It was nice to be recognized”
Collinsville returns to action at 5:45 p.m Thursday when they tangle with the Centralia Orphan Annies.
