By Drew Terhall

Dailyadvocate.com

VERSAILLES — In a five set match, with the fifth set going into extra points, the Versailles volleyball team came up just short as they lost 2-3 to Ottawa Glandorf at home on September 14.

Head coach Liz McNeilan said every time you go up against the Lady Titans, it’s going to be a battle. Through the ups and downs of the match, she was able to see the growth this team has made so far this season.

“The girls came and they battled. They showed up in a lot of ways. I told the girls in there you have to have your heads on in a positive manner right now. We are growing and we are getting better with every single set we play. I see it, I see them putting to work the things we’re doing in practice. I see them reacting as a team,” McNeilan said.

Versailles came out firing in the first set. They were attacking the Lady Titans with their aggressive serving and powerful hitting.

Sophomore Kiley May and senior Taylor Wagner were leading the charge from the serving line and in front of the net. McNeilan said both players had a great game and are the leaders of this team.

“They’re both leaders on the court and it’s starting to shine. Get up and get the next one,” McNeilan said.

Versailles won the first set 25-16. Then it was Ottawa Glandorf returning the favor. Their front line players took control of the second set and didn’t let up.

The hitting from the Lady Titans got the Versailles defense scrambling at times. Versailles was able to claw back to cut into Ottawa Glandorf’s lead, but couldn’t complete the comeback. The Lady Tigers lost 18-25 in the second set.

The third set was full of momentum swings. Versailles led early before Ottawa Glandorf tied it. Then once the Lady Titans got a lead, the Lady Tigers stormed back to tie it.

When it was all set and done, Ottawa Glandorf just made more plays and took the third set 20-25.

With little room for error, Versailles stormed out to an early lead in the fourth set. Then the Lady Titans came back to tie the set before taking a lead. Then the Lady Tigers came back and tied it 13-13.

Both teams were swinging for the fences trying to overwhelm the defense. As the fourth set went on, Versailles turned on the switch and started to separate themselves.

As the hitters were finding their spots, Versailles won 25-17 to force a fifth set.

The final set was full of momentum swings. Just when you thought one team was going to take it, the other team came back to tie the set.

Both defenses were flying around making plays to give them a chance at the point. The hitters were doing everything they could to hit the open spots.

A few hitting errors by Versailles was the difference as Ottawa Glandorf played a bit cleaner and won the fifth set, 16-18.

McNeilan said the Lady Titans did force them into some errors, but overall thought they could have taken care of the ball better.

“We had some unfortunate errors at the end that I think we can do better. Did they (OG) earn some of them, absolutely. They’re a great team. I do think we had a lot of unforced errors that we should have taken care of the ball a little bit better,” McNeilan said.

It was match where the small mistakes caught up to the Lady Tigers.

Versailles is now 6-5 on the season with a 1-2 MAC record. They will next host Coldwater at home on September 17 with the JV starting at 5:30 p.m.

Contact Daily Advocate sports editor Drew Terhall at [email protected].