Another slow start threw a scare into the Republic volleyball team Monday, but the Lady Tigers recovered to knock off Springfield Central 23-25, 25-8, 25-15.
Central had won only one match this season, but Republic errors helped the Bulldogs win a close first set in which neither team ever led by more than four points. Central briefly had a 17-13 edge, but Republic scored four straight to tie the game. Neither team won more than two points in a row the rest of the set.
After dropping that first set, coach Allison Davis challenged her players to step up.
“I just told them that they were a better team. Our errors were through the roof, so I just told them going into the second set, we have got to cut down the errors on our side of the court,” she said after the match. “And we had to play with some heart … and our type of game, and we should be successful. They came out and did just that. It was a slow start, but we got there.”
Senior Carle Ward had 11 kills to lead Republic. Another senior, Rylee Moseman, had 20 kills and 12 digs. Freshman Kailey Manes had four service aces and one block. Moseman also had a block for the Lady Tigers.
Republic improves to 10-11-3.
Republic won the JV match 25-14, 25-17. Republic won the freshman match 30-28, 25-16.