By Ryan Mayner
The Hays Lady Rebels volleyball team was defeated at Bales gym Friday night in a district 14-6A matchup with the Lake Travis Lady Cavaliers in straight sets: 9-25, 24-26, 12-25.
Lake Travis started fast in the first set, taking a quick 5-1 lead and forcing the home team to burn a timeout and regroup. The two teams split the next four points.
The Cavaliers then went on another run that forced a second timeout with the score at 15-6. Hays was playing with effort, running into its own bench — and almost into the stands — for loose balls. They kept track of the ball when it almost got lost in the rafters and managed to get it back over the net, but Lake Travis had better ball control and balance, rarely having to reach far for points.
But the Lady Rebels came out fighting in the second.
They led or were tied through most of the set and seemed determined to take it, but the Cavs staged several rallies for points that got their fans energized and seemed to take the wind out of the home team’s sails. Hays went from leading 21-17 to serving at 24-24 before losing the last two points.
First year coach Stephanie Coates said, “14-6A is very competitive but I feel that the Hays Rebel Volleyball Team has all the potential to compete with the top teams in the district. We have struggled early shutting out matches and continue to work on our consistent execution, and decision making.”
Despite the loss, there were several bright spots. Sophomore Mackenzie Coates, whose mother started coaching her when she was seven years old, displayed her presence in the front line. She led the Lady Rebels with four blocks and tied for the team lead with four kills and one serving ace.
Shanon Park also had four kills on the front line while Taylor Britton had three. Kathryn Wristen led the Rebels in assists with 16. Lexa Mikulenka had seven digs and the team’s only other serving ace.
“Everything we do in preparation for matches is centered around mental toughness, finishing points, executing our offense and defensive systems and ball control,” Coates said. “We have come up short in the last few matches and are continuing to work hard to break through and become the intense, focused, resilient team that we are capable of being.”
She added, “Our district goals are to earn a place in the playoffs and compete in the post season. We have not done ourselves any favors early but we know as a team we are very capable of turning this around and we will take it one match at a time.”
Hays played at home again on Tuesday against Westlake, who were sitting atop the district 14 standings and were ranked #4 in 6A.
While the Lady Rebels hung tough, Westlake prevailed in straight sets. Hays falls to 12-23, 1-4 in district play. The Lady Rebels travel to play Del Valle on Friday.
