Green Wave volleyball triumphs in home opener

Carsyn Cohen swings and hits the ball for a kill.

Photo by Kaelin Triggs, Delta Dunklin Democrat

MALDEN, Mo. - Jennifer Sokolova and her Malden Green Wave volleyball team held their home opener against the Senath-Hornersville Lions on Monday, Sep. 9.

A close match in each set ended with a complete sweep for the Green Wave team.

The first set was a three point victory for Malden, with a 25-22 final score.

Sophomore middle hitter Carsyn Cohen recorded two kills off of three total swings to help the Green Wave take set one. She recorded six kills for the entire match.

Set two ended with a 25-18 victory over the Lions. Along with Cohen, again forcing two kills, Mikalyn Vipperman and Hestania Jackson also acquired two kills to extend the lead two sets to none.

After getting out to an eight to one start in the third set behind the service run of Jazmine Lara, Senath-Hornersville’s Lyvana Reyes-Lopez went on a run from the service line.

Reyes brought the Lions back to tie the third set at 17.

However, the Green Wave were able to gain composure and pull away again for another 25-22 set win to complete the 3-0 sweep.

Sokolova was happy with how her team performed to defend their home court against the Lions.

“The atmosphere was great,” Sokolova said. “Everybody was here ready to play, they played as a team, they were communicating and that’s exactly what we wanted to see tonight.”

She notes the improvement in communication helped the team secure their victory.

Malden is now 2-1 to start the season after beating Hayti in their season opener and dropping a match against South Pemiscot.

Sokolova was glad her team was able to bounce back after their 1-3 defeat to South Pemiscot.

“The communication helped really,” Sokolova said. “Not only what was on our side, but what the other side was doing. With that communication they were moving more and not letting balls drop. You can tell both teams wanted it, that last set, but they talked to each other well and got the win.”

For the Green Wave, they will host New Madrid Central at home again on Tuesday, Sep. 10 before traveling to Kennett for another Dunklin County match on Thursday, Sep 12.

The Senath-Hornersville Lions will stay on the road as they look to upset an undefeated Holcomb Hornets team on Tuesday, Sep 10 before traveling to South Pemiscot on Thursday, Sep. 12.

The Lions will look to improve on their current 1-4 record before traveling to Cape Girardeau for the Annual Dig for Life Tournament this weekend.