When someone needed to come up big, it was only fitting the "bigs" came through in the clutch.
The Jefferson City Lady Jays dominated at the net Thursday night, especially in the final two games, and rallied for a 15-25, 28-26, 25-22 win against Helias in the volleyball edition of the crosstown showdown.
Jefferson City had nine blocks for points in the final two games, including the last two points of the match, to sweep the season series with Helias.
"It was a lack of blocking by us and very good blocking by them," Helias coach David Harris said. "... They were forming their block the way they should and we didn't execute, we didn't go around them."
Jefferson City coach Chris Meyer said the strong defensive play trickled down to other areas.
"We had stronger play at the net, and then offensively, we were moving the ball around well, which got us a little more success in Games 2 and 3," she said.
The match was eerily similar to the first one between the teams this season, right down to the Lady Jays dropping the first game before roaring back.
"We've overcome a lot of adversity this season, with several different injuries happening," Meyer said. "I think that has been to the benefit of our girls. They've had to learn how to adjust, how to communicate with each other, and how to push through when things aren't so great sometimes."
For Helias, the result of the match might have been decided in the span of four points in the second game.
"When we take care of the things on our side of the net, we're pretty good," Harris said. "And we talk about how you don't want to let the other team get any hope or confidence or momentum. We won the first game, and immediately they jump out to a 4-0 lead in the second game. They start getting confident, they start getting more energy."
Jefferson City eventually built its lead in that game to seven points, and it was still a 21-17 lead after an ace by Abbi McKnelly.
However, Helias eventually tied it at 22 and 23, both on kills by Tory Wiley. The Lady Crusaders got a block from Erica Haslag to take their first match point at 24-23, but a kill by Madison Bond tied it.
Helias then had its second match point at 26-25 on an ace by Molly Sandbothe, but a passing error by the Lady Crusaders tied it up. A kill by Jefferson City's Kylie Runzi and a Helias hitting error closed it out.
The only lowlight for the Lady Jays in the game was the fact they lost Becca Sturgess to a dislocated shoulder on the play that tied the game at 22.
"Coach (Kay) Foster was our trainer tonight and she was able to pop it back in, so hopefully that will reduce the swelling she'll have," Meyer said.
It forced the Lady Jays to make another adjustment to the lineup in a season full of them.
"Makenzy Kliethermes did a great job coming in and adjusting to being in a new position, in a new rotation," Meyer said. "The same with Sloan (Pleus), she had a really big (third) game at that outside position."
The deciding game had 11 ties, the last coming at 22. The Lady Crusaders then had a passing error on a free ball, leading to the final two blocks for the Lady Jays.
"You've got to give Jeff City a lot of credit, they never gave up," Harris said. "They just kept plugging away and they made the big plays at the crucial times. That's what good teams do, and that's what we need to figure out how to do."
McKnelly racked up 15 kills, 14 digs and two aces to lead Jefferson City (20-11-2), while Pleus had six kills, six digs and four blocks. Maggie Albert handed out 27 assists, Bond had nine blocks and Sturgess had 11 digs.
Ashley Dudenhoeffer had 18 assists for Helias (26-6) and Brittney Engelbrecht had 16. Haslag ended up with 10 kills, Blake Berhorst had 10 digs and Tory Wiley had three blocks.
Both teams are now off until district play begins next week.
In Thursday's JV match, Jefferson City carved out a 26-24, 25-23 victory.
Mary Wehmeyer had 13 kills and four blocks for the Lady Jays (28-4-1). Mary Vandelicht added seven kills and eight digs, while Jenna Massie handed out 22 assists.
Hannah Eynard had 10 kills for Helias (28-5), Jazmine Luebbert racked up 19 digs, Suzie Kuensting had six kills and five blocks and Andi Gladbach had nine assists.
Jefferson City also won the freshman match, taking it by a 25-15, 25-21 score.
Arielle Guitard had 12 digs for the Lady Jays (24-7-1), Janice Steacy had 13 service points, Katelyn Runzi dished out 18 assists and Tatum Gaines had six kills.
Morgan Fischer had seven service points and 13 digs for the Lady Crusaders (26-5), Laura Vanderfeltz had 18 digs, Abby Shepard had seven assists and Maddie Neuner had three blocks. Ella Ward, Kayla Bax and Haley Kempker had three kills apiece.
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