Senators play for teammate, but can’t hang with Coosa
Published 9:32 pm Monday, September 14, 2015
Morgan Academy’s McKenzie Williams blocks Coosa Valley’s Sarah Warren at the net during Monday’s game. The Senators lost 25-12, 25-8, 25-15 and fell to 2-7 on the season. –Daniel Evans
The Morgan Academy volleyball team had more on its mind than just Coosa Valley on Monday when it took the court.
When the Senators broke down the huddle during timeouts, they ended with “Team Andy”, which referenced Andy Hewitt, the father of teammate Regan Hewitt. Senators head coach Caroline Averitt said Andy is in the hospital and the situation is serious enough that the family has been called in.
Regan, a sophomore on the team, missed the game to be with her father.
“Her family has been dealing with the tremendous illness of her father and they played for her daddy and her family and her tonight,” Averitt said. “A team that will step up and play for a teammate is pretty awesome.”
Playing inspired, the Senators (2-7) played well in the first set against Coosa Valley, who Averitt said was one of the best three teams Morgan had played this year.
McKenzie Williams made two incredible blocks at the net to give the Senators some momentum, but Coosa was just too talented overall.
The Rebels swept the Senators 25-12, 25-8, 25-15 and led practically the entire way in every set.
Averitt said Coosa middle hitter Kalei Merrifield was the key to the Rebels’ entire attack. Merrifield helped her team keep control of the ball while teammate Sarah Warren hit ace after ace.
“She is phenomenal and we will be watching her on TV,” Averitt said of Merrifield.
To counter, Averitt put her team’s best blocker, Williams, against Merrifield.
“I had McKenzie Williams all over her,” Averitt said. “I don’t know how many blocks she had tonight but it was a bunch.”
Morgan stuck with Coosa in the first set and only trailed 12-11 early on, but the Rebels won the next 14 of the next 15 points to seize control.
In the second set with Warren serving, Coosa Valley won seven straight points to take a 10-2 lead. It seemed only fitting that at the end of the set, it was Warren who finished off the game with nine straight serves.
Coosa jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the third set before the Senators won seven of nine points to pull within 15-9. Coosa answered with more pinpoint serving to put the match away.
Morgan Academy’s next match is Tuesday against Edgewood Academy.
