LEWISTOWN - The Red Land Patriots showed no ill effects of their hour and a half bus ride into Mifflin County for a volleyball match.
The visitors shut out the Huskies 3-0. With greater height and physical maturity, Red Land (4-5) dominated play at the net throughout the contest.
"We got off to a slow start" Mifflin County coach Matt Kern said.
The Huskies dropped the first game 25-11, scoring only two service points. Red Land jumped out to a 5-0 lead before a time out was called by Kern.
The Patriots ran a smooth, well-oiled offense utilizing both middle and outside hitters. Demonstrating good serve receive techniques, Red Land's passes to the setter were right on target. Sammi Brown, Emily Gilhooly and Macy Warnick hit through and over the Mifflin County block attempts.
An inability to receive and then pass the serve hampered the Husky offense in game one.
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IF YOU GO
Mifflin County travels to Central Dauphin East today
In game two, Mifflin County showed spunk and spirit scoring five straight service points courtesy of Chloe Benner's arm. Jumping out to an 8-4 lead, the purple-clad ladies displayed improved receiving and passing techniques, allowing the offense to better perform.
Eight times the teams were tied before Red Land's front line took control at 19-all and scored the final six points for a 25-19 victory.
"Our main focus was not to get outworked. It is okay if someone can out play you, but it is not okay to be outworked," Kern said. "We made smarter decisions and had better passing as the match progressed. I think we were a little sloppy at the net."
Game three was very evenly played. Mifflin County finally fell 25-23, but the scrappy Husky squad played hard until the end. As illustrated by the individual game scores, Mifflin County never let up in their efforts to defeat its opponents or improve its play.
Red Land also won the JV contest.
Mifflin County (2-9) travels to Central Dauphin East today.
