Dexter VB takes thrilling four-set W over C3D1 foe Saxony

Dexter High School senior hitter Kate Nichols booms a shot past the Saxony Lutheran blocker on Monday at the Bearcat Event Center.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

DEXTER – Despite the volleyball programs of Saxony Lutheran and Dexter High Schools being among the more successful programs in Southeast Missouri, as well as the fact that both currently compete in the MSHSAA Class 3 District 1 postseason tournament, the two squads aren’t that familiar with each other, as they typically don’t play each other.

The two met for just the second time in five seasons on Monday at the Bearcat Event Center and the hosts earned a thrilling 3-1 victory.

“I like that the girls are doing what we have been working on,” second-year Dexter coach Haylee Orf said following the win. “I felt like we were pulling teeth to show the energy and the belief and the celebrating that we build momentum that we really need in games like that.”

Volleyball is such a misnomer with its scoring sometimes, and Monday’s match was certainly indicative of that.

The Crusaders lost the night 3-1, but veteran coach Stephanie Brown’s team never trailed in the opening set except for the only moment that counted, as Dexter took the first set 26-24.

“When (the players) are excited,” Brown said, “they play very, very well. When they keep their fire up.”

The Crusaders (1-2) led in the opening set 13-7 and 16-10 before the Bearcats (2-1) began to chip away at their deficit.

Trailing 23-21, Dexter fought back to tie the set at 23 before overcoming a 24-23 margin to win.

“It was a constant pulling of teeth to get the best out of us,” Orf continued.

The Bearcats jumped out to a 14-9 lead in the second set, which forced Brown to call a timeout, but her team scored five consecutive points to tie the match at 14 and Saxony Lutheran held a 19-8 advantage late.

Dexter responded by taking a 22-19 lead, which resulted in another Crusader timeout, but the visitors rallied to tie the set at 23 apiece before falling 25-23.

“We have to figure out how to keep that fire and that determination through all of the sets,” Brown said.

The Bearcats dominated the third set – for a while.

Orf’s group led 18-7 before the Crusaders fought back to a 23-22 deficit and forced Orf to call a timeout.

Saxony’s mojo continued late in the 25-23 third-set victory.

The Bearcats were able to regroup in the fourth set and held leads of 7-3, 11-7, and 22-12 before winning 25-14.

“We had beautiful moments,” Orf said. “We stayed aggressive. We got around the blocks. We did pretty good at defense, digging them up.”

The Bearcats will host Cape Central (7-1) today at 6:30 p.m.

Saxony Lutheran will host St. Vincent (4-0-2) at 7:30 p.m. today.