By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
CRANE, Mo. — The New Covenant Lady Warriors had to settle for runner-up honors at last year’s Class 2 District 10 tournament as they fell to Miller in the title game, 3-1.
What a difference a year makes as the top-seeded Warriors defeated second-seeded Spokane in straight sets (25-18, 25-15, 26-24) for the very same district title, albeit one year later, on Saturday afternoon at Crane High School.
While last year’s finish was tough to muster, it was well worth the wait for the Warriors, who pushed their record to 26-4-3 record on the season.
“This was our goal in the summer, to win districts,” said first-year NCA head coach Chenille Gaumer. “This was the seniors’ goal. I know they really wanted to win last year. We have five seniors, so we did everything we could.”
Those seniors being Ashlynn Mason (injured three weeks ago), Audrey Mouery, Addison Crain, Chloe Hurst and Addison Cuquet.
“We just decided to leave it all out on the floor,” Mouery said. “Nothing was going to drop, and we were going to have fun with one another. Our whole lineup is seniors, so were like, ‘This is our last time. Let’s push and finish and get them in three [sets].’”
Not many athletes get to go out on top, let alone seniors, and Mouery said that was the difference, the relentless pursuit to right the ship from last year’s premature exit at districts.
Said Mouery: “Everyone loves each other. That is why it has been so good, the chemistry. It is so fun. Last year, we made it to the championship but lost. This means so much. I am hoping we can go to state. I love my team.”
Some season highlights for the Warriors include the Greater Ozarks Conference (second year) championship, the first seed in districts and now, district champions.
“Every time, it was like, ‘OK, we did the next step. Now, it is the championship, [and] this was our next step,” Gaumer said.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE MATCH
In the opening set, kills, aces and strong defense from the front and back lines set the tone for the matchup.
In the second, an early kill by freshman Kiera Edwards (one of many), followed by Ava Peters’s block and an error by the Owls, and back-to-back kills by Edwards and Tina Voznyarska kept the momentum for the Warriors.
But, in the third, things appeared to be swinging in favor of the Owls, as kills by Ella Christenson and Maddie Hardee helped swing momentum.
The Owls cruised to four- and five-point leads, and a fourth set appeared to be in the cards.
Or so it seemed.
The Owls led by as many as six points (11-5) at one juncture, but the Warriors tightened up the defense as well as the communication, which proved crucial.
With the Owls up 18-14, Warriors’ Mouery ripped off four consecutive points, and it was tied up at 18-all.
An error by the Owls gave an added possession to the Warriors, who took full advantage.
A kill by Voznyarska tied it at 23.
After a misplay on the perimeter, the Warriors closed it out and went into celebratory poses.
Down the stretch of the deciding set, Voznyarska had three late kills, Gaumer had two crucial blocks, Jenna Jackson had three aces and Mouery put her team on her back with four straight service points.
The location for next week’s Class 2 sectional has yet to be determined.
