UNION CITY, Ohio — Mississinawa Valley overcame a slow start to defeat rival Ansonia 14-25, 25-17, 25-20 in the opening match of the Blackhawk Invitational volleyball tournament Saturday.
The nonconference tournament included varsity teams from Ansonia, Northeastern and Union.
“We came out slow-moving this morning, but luckily we came out on top,” Mississinawa Valley coach Taylor Rawlings said. “We picked it up, started moving a little better and got things done.”
The opening set was tied at 3 before Ansonia took control. The Tigers doubled up the Blackhawks at 10-5, prompting a Mississinawa Valley timeout.
Ansonia continued its run and built a 15-5 advantage before closing out a 25-14 victory.
“The first set, we were all there,” first-year Ansonia coach Katie Walters said. “The second set, we were there on defense. I think we were a little slow, and I think that’s kind of what burned us.”
Mississinawa Valley responded by taking a 4-0 lead in the second set, but Ansonia battled back to tie the score at 13.
The Blackhawks scored three consecutive points to take the lead 16-13, prompting Walters to call a timeout. Ansonia later pulled within two at 19-17, but Mississinawa Valley scored the final six points to win the set 25-17 and even the match.
Rawlings said a sense of urgency and the rivalry between the two schools helped inspire the turnaround.
“I think it took me yelling at them a little bit, and a little bit of internal motivation had to kick in,” Rawlings said. “That’s our rival school. That should be a must-win every game.”
Mississinawa Valley carried its momentum into the deciding set, racing to a 6-1 lead. The Blackhawks extended their advantage to 13-6, prompting an Ansonia timeout.
Mississinawa Valley led 19-11 before the Tigers mounted one final rally. Ansonia scored four unanswered points to cut the deficit to 19-15 and force a Blackhawks timeout.
Mississinawa Valley regrouped and outscored Ansonia 6-5 the rest of the way, securing the set 25-20 and completing the comeback.
Rawlings credited senior Gretchen Rodeheffer with becoming a force at the net during the final two sets. She also praised senior Ava Hummel and libero Ella Godfrey for providing leadership.
“Gretchen Rodeheffer became a big presence in the front row,” Rawlings said. “Ella Godfrey is at libero for us this year, and she has stepped into that role nicely. That’s new for her this year.”
The Blackhawks also received contributions from freshmen Mylie Austerman, Harper McGlothlin, Kate Hartzell and Madi Nieport.
“They’re stepping up and playing big roles as freshmen,” Rawlings said. “That’s a lot to ask of a freshman, but they’re doing a nice job.”
Ansonia served effectively throughout the match but was unable to overcome its mistakes in serve receive and on defense during the second and third sets.
“It was a tough match for us,” Walters said. “It was just serve-receive errors or defensive errors. We’re strong hitters. We just have to hit more.”
