Game One:
LLCC started off 2018 in a rough way, losing two matches, first to Metropolitan CC (formerly Longview) and then to defending national champion, Coffeyville. The match against MCC was filled with unforced errors as the Loggers hit 27 serves or attacks into the net or long, more than one-third of the Wolves' points. "Metropolitan's a good team and they return most of their starters from last year. We didn't play well," Coach Dietz said, before continuing, "But they earned the win. They were scrappy and didn't make any mental mistakes. If you're ranked, people come after you, and I don't think our new players realize the intensity of that. Of course, we aren't helped by our nagging injuries and before the match, we wound up with a player sick and unable to play, so we really had a nine-person roster. There's no room for error there."
#3 LLCC defeated by Metropolitan 21-25, 19-25, 16-25
Digs: Edwards 7, Jackson 6, Tauke 6
Aces: Marusic 2, Edwards 1
Blocks: Melton 2, 3 tied w/1
Assists: Jackson 24
Kills: Edwards 13, Miller 7, Brunstein 4
Game Two:
In the nightcap, the Loggers were the scrappy team, playing Coffeyville close for three sets (including a 25-22 win in the second) before being overwhelmed by the Ravens' attack in the fourth set. "We played much better in the match against Coffeyville. We were aggressive and scrappy, but with only nine active players and only seven perfectly healthy, we wore down. Coffeyville has a big roster and they are deep--and they have a returning all-American hitter and their setter returns, so they're just good. I'd like to play them again later when we are healthy and uninjured." Coach Dietz also observed, "I thought Lainey Jackson did a great job for us. She was running all over, especially against Metropolitan, and that's rough since she's still healing from some surgery, too. She showed a lot of grit."
#3 LLCC defeated by #1 Coffeyville 19-25, 25-22, 22-25, 13-25
Digs: Thomas 13, Jackson 10
Aces: Brunstein 1, Melton 1
Blocks: Miller 3, Taig 2
Assists: Jackson 27
Kills: Edwards 8, Brunstein 8, Tauke 7
Record: 0-2
Next: SAT vs. #12 NE Oklahoma, #18 Neosho County
