By Quixem Ramirez
A year after losing both meetings against Lake Travis, the Hays volleyball team was nearing a victory Friday night.
The Rebels won the first set, 25-16, with little resistance from the Cavaliers. The second set went back and forth until Hays wrestled control of the set en-route to a 25-21 victory.
With one set separating Hays from a victory, Lake Travis began mounting a comeback that eventually ended with a 16-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-20, 15-10 win on the road.
Lake Travis’ comeback attempt began in earnest in the third set. Neither team was able to get separation to win the set, with ten ties and six lead changes. Once Hays tied the set at 15-15, Lake Travis took over and made just enough plays to claim the 25-22 set win.
And, still, Hays held the advantage.
Lake Travis was in the disadvantageous position of being behind in the margin, with little margin for error. By contrast, Hays had the luxury of being ahead.
When the fourth set resumed, Lake Travis reasserted control early and often. Hays never led in the set and there were only three ties. The Cavaliers’ 25-20 win in the fourth set put the pressure back on Hays to finish the job.
Instead, Hays ceded control of the fifth and decisive set to Lake Travis. The teams tied five times, before Lake Travis finally pulled away for good in its 15-10 victory in the fifth set. Hailee Morton tallied a team-high 21 kills for the Rebels in the loss, with a .296 hitting percentage. Kaitlyn Krafka followed with 20 kills and a .333 hitting percentage. Hays is 21-13 overall and 2-2 in district play following Friday night’s match. The Lady Rebels travel to play at Westlake Friday, then travel to play at Incarnate Word High School on Oct. 4.
