SYLVANIA – Sometimes the final score isn’t indicative of how a team plays.
While the score from Ross’ match at Southview Saturday afternoon shows another four-set loss, what it won’t tell you is the Lady Giants played their best match of the season in their 10-25, 25-22, 20-25, 18-25 defeat to the Cougars.
“We played the best that we’ve played,” coach Kari Shull said. “Energy was up, aggressiveness was up, serve-receive, defense, everything was on. We just played a good team in Southview.
“The girls were happy, I was happy. It was good.”
While the whole of the match showed progress, Ross was still stymied in the early going, a recurring issue the Lady Giants are trying to understand and overcome.
“If you look at our scores, that Set 1 hates us and we hate that Set 1,” Shull said. “It still takes us a while to settle into the game for whatever reason. We have to make sure when we walk onto the court we’re mentally ready to go.”
Olivia DeRodes again led the Ross attack with eight kills with a pair of blocks, 14 passes and 10 digs. Jazmin Bulger had five kills and four blocks while AnneMarie Moses had five kills, 20 passes and 12 digs. Lindsay Weickert had 21 passes and 13 digs while Sarah Hrynciw had 10 assists and five digs and Izzy Held had nine assists. Olivia Baptista 11 passes and 11 digs.
Ross, now 3-14 overall, returns to action Tuesday vs. Woodward
“I feel really good that we have kids pushing and trying and working and they’re starting to see the results of doing those small, technical skill things that make them good and gets them points,” Shull said. “They’re starting to see those things and starting to do them more.”