Sikeston's course against Saxony Lutheran derailed after two sets

SIKESTON -- Coach Steve Beydler had a game plan against visiting Saxony Lutheran. But that idea went down when one of his top returners from a season ago showed up in a walking boot two days ago.

Sikeston fell to Saxony in two sets at the Sikeston Field House Thursday 25-18, 25-17 without middle hitter Olivia Nash after the junior sprained her ankle on Tuesday.

"I had to drop back and regroup," Beydler said about not having Nash. "But, considering we have never run this lineup until yesterday and I had two girls switched to positions they've never played, I feel like they did a pretty good job. You have to deal with what you have to deal with and I think they did a pretty good job of stepping up for the most part."

Sikeston's Morgan Merrill (left) and Emma Jones go for the ball against Saxony Lutheran Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

Sikeston's Morgan Merrill (left) and Emma Jones go for the ball against Saxony Lutheran Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

The Bulldogs struggled with Saxony's front row in both sets. The Crusaders' block, who have the option of four players that reach at least six-foot tall, gave Sikeston fits.

"I realized during our last game that we have a really nice block," said Zickfield. "We've been utilizing it. We've got four girls right at six-foot. You might as well use that to your advantage and try to do everything you can."

Sikeston (1-2) couldn't find a way around Macy Morehead, Ashley Fritsche and Laurel Mueller, for the most part, who sent most of what Sikeston offered back.

"I told my girls that we're going to have to go around them. We can't hit through them," Beydler said. "They were just a four-arm wall."

A block/kill from Addie Beussink made it 17-11 at one point, but Sikeston rallied to close their gap to 20-16 after an ace from Morgan Poindexter. Another ace from Emily McHaffie made it 21-18, but four-straight Crusader points aided by serves from Morehead ended the first set 25-18.

Sikeston earned its biggest advantage of the night during the second set with a 10-4 lead. Saxony (5-2-1) wasn't as sharp as they were in the first set leading to missed serves and passes sailing out of bounds.

Saxony Lutheran's Lexie Barnes sets the ball against Sikeston Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

Saxony Lutheran's Lexie Barnes sets the ball against Sikeston Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

"Saxony was missing things early on and I told the girls that 'They won't keep missing the whole game. Enjoy it while it's here but you better be prepared'," Beydler said.

Five-straight points including kills from Beussink and Lexie Barnes tied the set at 11-all. Five ties later, the game was stuck at 16-16 until Allie Sprink found her rhythm to give Saxony the momentum.

"One of the biggest things we work on in practice every single day is momentum," Zickfield said. "We want to side-out that first time we're in serve-receive position. They just know they have to fight back. Once they do and get out of that hole their usually pretty quick to get that momentum back. That's honestly what we hammer in practice."

Sprink had three-straight kills to put her team ahead 19-16 and the Crusaders never looked back.

"Allie is one of our better hitters so she's a go-to player," Zickfield said. "When she can get up and hammer that ball nobody can stop her. As long as she knows where to go she can get the ball through."

Saxony had a balanced attack with Sprink, Fritsche and Barnes all with four kills. Morehead had three blocks.

Morgan Merrill led Sikeston with three kills.

"We had those moments when we let things falter in that first set especially," said Beydler. "There were a few long runs that we let happen."

JV -- Saxony won 25-15, 25-20.