SAN ANGELO, TX — The undefeated Lady Cats Volleyball team looked to continue their undefeated streak against Midland Christian in San Angelo on Tuesday night, August 22. The 14-0 Lady Cats kicked off to a slow start dropping only their second set of the entire season 25-21. Central backed up, regrouped, and came out strong for the final three frames. The Ladies rebounded from the first set to win the following three straight, 25-19, 25-19, 25-19, to claim victory and move to 15-0 on the season.
After the game, Central’s Head Coach, Julie Williams, said that the Lady Cats came out slow and made several mental mistakes.
“We definitely needed to make some adjustments,” Williams said after the first set. “You know, we weren’t reading [Midland Christian’s] defense very well. We made some errors where we just gave them points. Misserves, free balls out of bounds, and those kinds of things you can’t do against a good team like Midland Christian.”
Williams noted that she liked how her ladies responded to adversity early on in the match. Central plays in a talented district this season and needs situations like the one tonight to improve.
“Let’s regroup. Let’s look at their defense and see what they are giving to us, and let’s not keep giving them easy points,” Williams said.
Central Lady Cats versus Midland Christian 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats versus Midland Christian 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats versus Midland Christian 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats versus Midland Christian 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats versus Midland Christian 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats versus Midland Christian 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats versus Midland Christian 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
Central Lady Cats versus Midland Christian 2023
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
The mini restart worked brilliantly for the ‘Cats as the ladies went on to win the next three sets straight. On an off night when the usual stars struggled early, Coach Williams said it took everyone on the team to turn things around.
“It was a collective effort,” Williams continued. “We definitely had some athletes that were having an off night tonight. So, I think it was more of a team effort. We started using our middles a little bit more, which always frees up our pins. I would have to say it was a collective effort tonight.”
The Lady Cats may be undefeated, but they also have now dropped sets against Wall and Midland Christian. Coach Williams does not shy away from the fact that she believes that her team needs to struggle early in the season. The Lady Cats finished the 2022 regular season with a 3-7 district record and 5th overall. Central will have to play better than in 2023 if they want to return to the playoffs.
“We dropped a set to Midland Christian tonight, we dropped a set to Wall, and those are all good things right now,” Williams said. “We need to be challenged, and we need to face adversity and know that we can persevere through that.”
The Lady Cats take their perfect record on the road this weekend for the Texas Showdown Tournament. Some of the best teams from around Texas will be participating, so the tournament will be another great test for the Lady Cats as they prepare for the district and beyond.
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