CAMDEN — The Preble Shawnee volleyball team lost a pair of heartbreaking matches over the week, as the team battled the top two teams in the SWBL Buckeye Division.
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Arrows hosted second place Dixie and got off to a fast start by defeating the Greyhounds 25-21 in the first set.
The team fell two points shy in the second set as the Greyhounds leveled the match at a set a piece with a score of 25-23.
Dixie was able to gain a little breathing room in the third set by winning, 25-19.
The fourth set was another thriller but unfortunately for the Arrows they were again on the wrong side and Dixie was able to close the match out, 26-24.
Elise Walker helped the Arrows pull off a near-victory by having 21 kills on a 33 percent kill percentage. Savannah Lynch had 20 assists, Kylie Mikesell had four aces and Miranda Chaney had 14 digs and three aces.
On Thursday, Oct 1 came a trip to league leading Waynesville who is still undefeated in the conference. The Arrows struggled early, dropping the first two games by a score of 25-21 and 25-16. Waynesville appeared poised and ready to make quick work of the young Preble Shawnee team.
The young Arrows however battled back in the third set,defeating Waynesville, 25-21. They then dominated the fourth set winning 25-14 to force the fifth and final set.
Waynesville, however, was able to regain composure and close the match out with a 15-10 win.
Madison Elkins had an error-free night at the net, including six kills while Walker had 11 kills. Lynch added 15 assists, seven digs, six aces, and 21 service points while Mikesell pitched in 11 digs.
For head coach Kristy Cottingim, Preble Shawnee may have lost two matches but she believes she saw her young team turn a corner. “Even though we had two losses on the week, it was a turning point for us,” the coach said. “ We competed very well in both matches and broke some mental barriers. We did not ever give up and really pressed the other teams.”
The team ended the week 6-11 overall and 3-5 in the SWBL Buckeye Division.
