Wednesday, Sep. 01, 2010

Mustangs slip against Athens

Middle Creek's frustrating start continues with a sweep by the Jaguars.

When the Middle Creek and Athens Drive volleyball teams squared off on Thursday night, one thing was for sure - somebody was going to pick up their first conference win of the year.

The Jaguars of Athens ensured that they were going to be that team, sweeping the visiting Mustangs 25-14, 25-18 and 25-13.

Athens' strength in the three games was its ability to get quick points. In all, the Jags (3-2, 1-1) racked up 14 aces, while the Mustangs had all kinds of trouble returning those serves.

"Everybody contributed today as a whole," Athens coach Angela Coticchio said. "We've been working on serving to spots on the court and today they did a good job executing."

The first set started with Athens jumping out to a 6-1 lead, then falling behind 8-6. The Jags closed out the set by winning 11 of the final 15 points.

In the second set, it was Middle Creek that jumped out to the fast start, leading 6-1 and 10-4.

But Athens won 11 of the next 13 points to win back the lead, which it never relinquished.

In the third set, Athens led wire to wire.

"Today was the first day that everybody had positive hitting percentages," Coticchio said.

Senior Camden Spade led the Jags in kills, while Jennifer Hiteshew had half of her team's aces.

Caroline Campbell had four aces.

It has been a frustrating start for Middle Creek, which returns four seniors from last year, including all-conference selection Taylor Pritchett, in addition to athletic sophomore Ashley Battle.

The Mustangs made the playoffs for the first time in school history last year, but have won just three sets in a 0-4 (0-3) start.

"We couldn't serve-receive the ball very well," Middle Creek coach Rosemarie Piccirillo said.

"Our seniors need to step up and put it on their shoulders and say, 'We want to get in the playoffs again.' "