Alyssa Codner (right) of Marysville sends the ball past a Thomas Worthington blocker Monday evening. The Lady Monarchs dropped the match in three sets. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Marysville varsity volleyball coach Bethany Bentz has stuck with a couple of “B’s” as the team’s motto this year.
The Lady Monarchs, however, could not overcome a couple of “T’s” during a 24-26, 14-25, 13-25 loss at Thomas Worthington on Monday.
“We have to continue to ‘Battle and Believe,’” said Bentz after her squad slipped to 4-10 on the season.
Marysville gave Thomas Worthington a good fight during the initial set of the match.
What the Lady Monarchs had no answer for was the “Tall and Taller” Cardinal tandem of 6-3 senior Alayna Johnson and 6-4 freshman Becca Wright.
“Thomas Worthington’s size took control over the net,” said Bentz. “We need to work the ball around to cover blocks and adjust our hits.”
The combatants swapped leads during the early portion of the opening set.
MHS held a 3-1 edge on a kill from Jillian Gardner before the Cardinals grabbed a 5-4 lead.
Gardner came through with another kill to tie the battle at 5-all.
MHS hitting and passing miscues enabled Worthington to climb to a 9-5 advantage.
Marysville got back on the scoreboard when Sarah Peterson set a kill for Larissa Smith.
The Lady Monarchs took advantage of several Cardinal hitting mistakes and went on top, 12-11.
Johnson came through with a block and kill to give Worthington a 16-13 edge.
Carys Gossett and Madison Fluharty teamed for a block that narrowed MHS’ deficit to 16-15.
The Cardinals’ twin towers combined for a block that later raised their lead to 19-16.
Marysville pulled to within 20-19 when Gardner put down another kill.
MHS’ passing and hitting errors, however, gave the Cardinals the points they needed for a 1-0 lead.
Worthington tallied the first four markers of the ensuing set.
Alyssa Codner later tipped over a kill for MHS’ second point.
The Lady Cardinals used their height advantage at the net to pull out to an 11-3 margin.
Fluharty and Codner came up with kills, but those shots didn’t do much as far as cutting into MHS’ deficit.
Worthington took its first double-digit lead (23-13) when the Lady Monarchs allowed a pass to fall to the floor between potential setters.
A kill from Wakaya Wilson gave the Cardinals their final point and a 2-0 lead in sets.
The Lady Monarchs still had trouble against Worthington’s front line strength during the last game.
Lily Beier’s block pushed the Cards out to a 16-6 lead.
Marysville couldn’t play enough of a catch-up game and soon found itself at set point, 24-13, on an ace serve by Worthington.
The Lady Monarchs were then whistled for a double-hit infraction to end the match.
Codner and Gardner led the MHS attack, combining for 10 kills.