Mexico volleyball played better the later that Tuesday’s season opener lasted.
However, the Lady Bulldogs lost in four sets to Eugene (10-25, 13-25, 25-23, 18-25) in their first match on the new Gary Filbert Court. Charley Jackson, Camy Blackburn and Savannah Murray each led Mexico with five kills, and Gwen Walker added three kills and three aces.
Head coach Tami Sells said communication was key and was better after the Lady Bulldogs might have dealt with “first-game jitters,” leading to the girls “overthinking” and “second guessing.”
“They communicated a little bit better as a team,” Sells said. “They were being strategic on where to place the ball, and we had better passes in those last couple of sets.”
Mexico started well in most of its sets against Eugene (2-1) but was able to clinch only the third set. The Lady Bulldogs won six of the last eight points in the third set, thanks partially to three kills from Walker.
“They had one, maybe two, really strong servers that we had a hard time passing (off of),” Sells said. “Once we got past them, we got the lead back. It was more about communication and trusting each other.”
Eugene applied pressure after the Lady Bulldogs had their biggest lead of 12-5 in the fourth set before an 8-0 Eugene run erased that.
“They were really good at reading our court and placing the ball where we weren’t,” Sells said. “And also spot serving.”
Mexico has a quick turnaround as it hosts former North Central Missouri Conference foe Kirksville (1-5) at around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
“We want to make sure our serves are always in,” Sells said. “We want to see open places and be confident in putting it there.”
To purchase photo reprints, call the Mexico Ledger office at 573-581-1111.
