Five days worth of pent up energy exploded over the course of about an hour Tuesday for the Hays Rebels.
Twelve kills from junior Catherine Croft helped Hays to a 25-13, 25-15, 25-15 sweep of the in-county rival San Marcos Rattlers at Bales Gym.
Stephanie Coates, Hays head volleyball coach, said the straight-set win was a way for the team to get "back in the swing of things" as they ready for the Rebel Bash. It was also a way for Hays to shake off the rust after not practicing for five days.
Coates opted for an off day Friday, which was then followed by the weekend and a weather day Monday.
“We were trying to be sure we could get back in the swing of things,” Coates said.
Hays used a definitive size advantage to take control of the match. The Rebel front line overpowered San Marcos, whose tallest player was 5-feet, 11-inches.
The advantage led to a block party at the net for the Rebel defense. Hays tallied nine blocks on the night with senior Kacie Hall scoring four solo blocks. But the Rebels’ serve-receive game also led to offensive opportunities.
While on offense, Coates said adept ball control, along with strong setting, allowed Hays to run “a lot” of offense during the match.
Kaitlin Krafka, who scored eight kills in the match, along with Croft were key contributors on the outside, Coates said. Providing assistance were sophomore Ryann Torres and freshman Madelyn Krafka, who both had five kills.
“Our ball control was good,” Coates said. “If our ball control is not good, size doesn’t matter.”
The Rebels now prepare for the team’s first district game at Westlake in two weeks. Coates said she hopes the Rebels can “set the tone for the district.”
But before then, Hays will attempt to claim the Rebel Bash title.
“We want to win our tournament,” Coates said. “We always seem to get second. We want to win our tournament.”
