With only six contests left in the regular season, teams need to bolster their tallies in the win column to jockey for seeding for the league tournament and for sub-state. Sabetha traveled to Jefferson West on Tuesday, Sept. 27, to compete in a Big Seven triangular against the Tigers and the Riverside Cyclones. The Lady Jays got off to a rocky start with a loss to Jeff West in straight sets before defeating Riverside in consecutive sets and split on the road.

“The games against Riverside and Jeff West were probably our worst games to date from this team,” said Head Coach Abby Stueve. “We did not show up mentally or physically to compete against Jeff West, and I will take the blame on that.”

The Tigers would top the Jays in the first match 22-25, and then Sabetha clawed their way through the second match only to fall again, 24-26.

Senior Jessica Gruber led her team with nine kills, with one solo block and one assisted block against the Tigers. Senior Mary Lukert had eight kills on offense and accounted for 13 defensive digs in the match. Senior Halle Scoby had two aces, three kills and seven defensive digs, and junior Alexia Hayden inked 38 set assists in the first two matches against Jeff West.

“Credit to Jeff West at their improvement thus far because they were able to pick apart our lack of communication and delayed movement,” Coach Stueve said.

The Lady Jays would make quick work of the Cyclones, winning the first match 25-18 and then scorched them in the nightcap game, 25-5. Lukert marked two aces and 12 kills against Riverside, and sophomore Erin Boltz had 11 kills. Scoby contributed 14 defensive digs and Hayden had 64 set assists against the Cyclones.

“In my experience, every team and season has its lulls and plateaus, but with some grit and determination this team will overcome and begin to climb. This night does not define our season and set a course for the rest of the season, so we will move on and move up,” Coach Stueve said.