CAPITAN – Through the first set of Capitan’s Monday match against Gateway Christian, the contest had the makings of a long one.
The teams traded serves and remained tied at five-all before the Tigers were able to string together enough points to earn a 25-15 victory. However, Gateway responded in kind with three set scores of 25-14, 25-12, 25-12 to win in four.
The Tigers (5-6) found passing to be their downfall.
“When you quit passing the ball inside the 10-foot line, then your setter struggles top get the ball to your offense,” said Capitan coach Pam Allen. “We quit taking care of the ball very well on serve receive and were passing pretty far off the net.”
When the Tigers were making their passes correctly, they turned into force Gateway was unable to stop.
For the Warriors (8-3) it was a matter of getting rid of the opening jitters that helped contribute to their loss in the first set.
“We just settled down our nerves a little bit,” said Gateway coach Kaylee Stephens. “We weren’t confident in that first set. Then our seniors came in and were more consistent, more confident. That helps to slow the match down for us, and we got on a roll from there.”
Next up for Gateway is the start of District 4-2A play at Tatum Sept. 9.
“This match (against Capitan) helps us grow in a lot of areas and how we’ll respond to adversity,” Stephens said. “That’s huge going into a tough district like ours.”
Capitan is back at it again tonight with a match at Hagerman. Counting their appearance in the Capitan Classic last weekend, this will be the Tigers’ sixth full match in eight days.
“We’ve just played, and played, and played, and played, and played, and haven’t had the opportunity to practice or rest,” Allen said. “But I’m really proud of these kids, they work hard and try hard.”
Todd Fuqua is Sports Editor for the Ruidoso News and can be reached at 575-937-0344.
