Lady Stangs challenge Hutto, lead during first game

“We led until point 19,” head coach Mich Robertson said. “We came out on fire defensively.”

Marble Falls dug everything that was sent, she said, which frustrated the Hutto hitters, who began to record unforced errors.

“That’s how we were able to stay in it,” she said. “We’d dig and dig and dig. They missed quite a few serves in game one.”

The result was Hutto coaches showed their unhappiness with their athletes.

“They called a timeout and made them run,” Robertson said. “I was very pleased with how we played in game one.”

But in the end, the Lady Hippos lived up to their ranking and defeated the Lady Mustangs, 25-20, 25-11, 25-12.

To give her squad a better chance at winning the match, Robertson called for Marble Falls to be more aggressive.

“We struggled in serve-receive,” she said. “We served tough.”

So the coach told her players to go for aces. But errors were too much to overcome, she said. 

“We have nothing to lose,” she said. “They have everything to lose. We could have changed their position. As a result, we missed quite a few serves.”

Hutto took advantage of miscues to sweep the match.

“We could never find our rhythm,” Robertson said. “We still have to learn how to win and win against those who don’t expect us to beat them. I want my kids to believe they can beat the big teams.”

Chelby Lusinger had 12 digs, while Lauren Persyn recorded seven kills. Kelly Hacker added 15 assists, and Allison Bendas had a block.

The Lady Mustangs now turn their attention to Killeen High School, which will be in Max Copeland Gym today at 7 p.m., 2101 Mustang Drive.

A win would help Marble Falls stay in fourth place, would secure a season sweep of the Lady Kangaroos and still keep the Lady Mustangs in the playoff chase.

“I think we’re prepared,” Robertson said. “We lifted on (Oct. 18), watched film and handed out scouting reports. We just have to make sure we’re mentally ready.”

In the first match, Killeen took a 2-0 lead and were on the verge of sweeping the match.

However, Robertson called a timeout and redirected her team. In turn the Lady Mustangs captured the last two games to tie the match and won the decisive fifth set, 15-13, to take the match.

The coach has enjoyed watching her players push their opponents, especially Lake Travis and Hutto, in the last two matches. Both are considered the top two squads in district play.

“Our experience the past two weeks is going to help us hopefully with the playoffs and into the next season,” she said. “That should help us build in the right direction.”