Rains gets past Mineola in three games

Posted 10/30/19

Six Rains 2019 Lady Wildcat volleyball players were a part of the 2018 bi-district championship team.   It shows. The team plays with a quiet confidence that stems from experiencing long-term …

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Rains gets past Mineola in three games

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Six Rains 2019 Lady Wildcat volleyball players were a part of the 2018 bi-district championship team.  It shows. The team plays with a quiet confidence that stems from experiencing long-term success.

On Tuesday, Rains defeated the visiting Mineola Lady Jackets in a three-game sweep, 25-16, 25-17, 25-20. The Lady Jackets suffered through error-prone games one and two before competing for game three. Against a quality side, the Jackets fell into a hole that was too deep to climb out. 

Mineola committed 14 unforced errors in game one, including three communication breakdowns. The Jackets were simply not in the groove. Once the initial points were played, Rains dominated game one, opening up 6-3, 14-7 and 22-11 leads.

Game two was a better-played volleyball game, but the Jackets still committed another 13 unforced errors. Mineola remained in the fight until a six-point Rains rally opened up the lead to 23-14. Of those six points, three were scored by Lady Wildcat kills and three by Lady Jacket miscues. 

Rains brings some unique volleyball skills to the court. Their deep service game stresses the opponent’s backline, they attack from as wide a position as anyone in the district, and their spiking skills from two paces behind the net are excellent. 

The tables turned a bit in game three as Rains committed 12 unforced errors. They gifted Mineola the first four points. Lady Jacket Meghan Brewington then served up an ace to take an early 5-1 lead. The game was tied at 5 and again at 7. Three long rallies built a 20-11 Rains lead. Then, the Lady Wildcats completely lost their focus. 

Rains committed a service error, a net violation and three mis-hits to give the Lady Jackets hope. Following the six point rally, Mineola had closed the score to 20-17.  Rains took the game and the match thanks to two service aces and a drop shot.    

Mineola concluded its district season on Tuesday, Oct. 29 with a home match against the Edgewood Bulldogs.