Mexico solid in defeat to Kirksville

By Dave Faries, Editor
Posted 9/27/21

The third set proved the mettle of the Bulldogs.

Mexico lost to Kirkville earlier in the season on the road. At home on Tuesday, the Bulldogs also came up short, bowing out 3-0.

But after …

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Mexico solid in defeat to Kirksville

Posted

The third set proved the mettle of the Bulldogs.

Mexico lost to Kirkville earlier in the season on the road. At home on Tuesday, the Bulldogs also came up short, bowing out 3-0.

But after two respectable showings, Mexico's third set was a gem.

The Bulldogs were in the hunt at 7-5 when Lizzie Joiner stepped to the service line. Suddenly things began to click. The crowd picked up on the shift in momentum and ramped up the volume.

Joiner reeled off five points to put Mexico on top 10-7.

"It really made me excited, all that positive energy," Joiner said.

The Tigers gained a point to end Joiner's run, but could not hold the service. Jessica Stephens took her turn on the line for Mexico and won four points, thanks in part to the effort of Emily Nunan and Ally Wilson at the net.

Mexico was up 14-8 and then 16-10, winning the ball back thanks to a spectacular diving kill by Joiner.

"I was not expecting to get to the ball," she observed. Joiner made contact, however, and the improbably return beat the startled Tigers.

It was only for a moment. Kirksville closed the gap to 17-15 and then climbed back on top.

But the visitors could not pull away. Nunan asserted herself at the net gently, repeatedly tapping the ball into space.

"Kirksville is geared for hard hits, so something soft throws them off," Nunan explained.

Nunan's efforts knotted the score at 23-23. Stephens returned to the line for Mexico and the two sides volleyed back and forth.

This time, however, fortune swung in Kirksville's favor, 25-23.

"I can't be upset," Nunan said. "This is the best game we've played all season."

On Monday the Bulldogs were swept by Fulton at home, but again looked strong in the second and third sets.

"It's tough, I won't lie," said Stephens of the winless start to the season. "I know we can do better -- we have more games we can improve on."


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