By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
For the third time in four years, Strafford’s volleyball season lives on thanks to a grueling win over its cross-county rival.
Led by a dominant outing from Missouri State commit Chloe Rear, Strafford outlasted Fair Grove 2-1 (20-25, 25-16, 25-23) in an epic three-set battle for the Class 2, District 12 title.
The outcome marks the fourth straight district championship for Strafford. Like in 2014 and 2015, the Indians needed three sets to vanquish Fair Grove in the title match.
“Fair Grove steps up every time they play us. Every time,” said Strafford coach Ashley Bough. “I hate playing them because I know they’re going to play their best, but I love playing them because it’s such a fun atmosphere. I have a ton of respect for that program.”
Rear tallied 18 kills, 24 assists, two blocks and one ace. Do the math: she contributed to 45 of Strafford’s 70 total points in the match.
“Playing with this team has been one of the most special things that’s ever happened to me,” Rear said. “Being my senior year, it really does make everything even more special because everything you have is on the line right there.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE MATCH
“Going out there and giving it my all and eventually being able to win it means everything to me.”
Strafford (29-4-1 overall) will host a Class 2 sectional-quarterfinal pod this Saturday afternoon, but that luxury did not come easy.
The Indians trailed throughout the first set against Fair Grove. They bounced back to take the second set (25-16), but fell into an early 5-0 deficit in the third set.
“We shot ourselves in the foot at the beginning,” Bough said. “We had errors we don’t usually make; errors you can’t make in a game like this.”
Strafford rallied to tie the third set, 10-all. From there, the lead for either side never grew larger than two points.
Strafford closed the match on a 4-1 spurt, getting two kills from senior Madi Bowles and a kill from sophomore Mica Chadwell.
“They found a way to come together,” Bough said. “We knew every single point was going to be a battle. At the end, we started to figure out how to get into a system and get our rhythm going.”
Chadwell provided a nice complementary option for Strafford’s 1-2 duo of Rear and Bowles.
“She’s a go-getter,” Bough said of the sophomore. “She doesn’t let a lot phase her. She’s a pleaser and goes 100 percent. Every time she’s on the floor, you know what you’re going to get from her.”
Junior Allisann Nichols led Strafford with 16 digs. Bowles added two blocks.
Fair Grove, which also lost to Strafford in three sets in the regular season, finishes the season 29-4-3 overall.
Strafford will be seeking its second final four appearance in three years on Saturday.
Class 2 playoff pod
Oct. 21 @ Strafford HS
Sectional: Strafford (29-4-1) vs. Clever (21-8-4), time TBD
Sectional: Willow Springs (21-10-5) vs. Sarcoxie (27-5-2), time TBD
Quarterfinal: Strafford-Clever winner vs. Willow Springs-Sarcoxie winner, time TBD
