Strong start fades, Coyotes drop match to McPherson
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

McPHERSON – Things started well for Kansas Wesleyan in game one of a pivotal KCAC Volleyball Match, but the Coyotes lost their edge, and fell to McPherson 30-22, 19-30, 16-30, 20-30 on Thursday night at the Sports Center.

The Coyotes started the match winning the first six points, but McPherson was able to rally and pull within three at 9-6 in game one, but a 9-3 Wesleyan run gave them a 18-9 lead, and held on for the first game win 30-22.

Wesleyan (4-4, 2-1) appeared to be on the right track in game two, taking a early 4-3 lead, but after tying things up at 5-all following a short Bulldog rally, things started falling apart for the Coyotes. McPherson used a 12-2 run to blow game two open at 17-7, and cruised to a 30-19 win.

McPherson carried its momentum into game three as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 6-1 lead and never looked back. McPherson used another big run, this time a 9-2 explosion to take a 16-5 lead at one point. The Coyotes then used a 7-2 run of their own to get within six at 18-12, but could get no closer as McPherson won the third game easily 30-16.

“We played awesome the first game,” head coach Gordon Reimer said. “We were hitting the ball well, and playing good defense. Then I can’t explain what happened. McPherson turned up their intensity a notch, while we almost became content with our first game win, and they shut us down.”

McPherson jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the fourth game as well, but the Coyotes were able to mount a short rally late in the game to get within four at 22-18. McPherson then again turned on the afterburners, scoring eight straight points to take a 29-18 lead before winning 30-20.

The Coyotes waste no time getting back into action, as they head to Olathe to play in the Mid-America Nazarene Tournament on Friday morning. Wesleyan’s first match is at 11:00 AM. The Coyotes continue play in the MANU Tournament on Saturday before hosting Oklahoma Wesleyan on Monday at 6:00 in Muir Gym.

-- KWU SI --