Siarah Walker spikes it over against Rose Hill Tuesday.

by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington Crusader volleyball team has been touting its new improved product on the gymnasium floor. On Tuesday, many of the home town fans got to see this product in motion for the first time this season.

And what’s the verdict? Not bad.

Wellington would lose the first match to Rose Hill 25-23 and 25-18. But the Crusaders would rebound to win the second match over Winfield 25-7, 26-24. The Crusaders are now 5-3 for the season.

“Wellington played very good volleyball,” said Alison Widen, Wellington head girls volleyball coach. “I thought our fight was good. We just need to get over the hump of not finishing a complete game.”

The Crusaders still have that habit of not finishing off their opponents. For example, Wellington was leading the preseason Kansas Volleyball Association Class 4A-Div. 1 fourth ranked Rose Hill Rockets 23-22 in the first set. But a serving error tied the game up and a lane violation followed.

Rose Hill, who is highly ranked for a reason, would make Wellington pay and won the game with that last point. The second game, Wellington played catch up after surrendering an early lead. Even though they would pull even with the Rockets, Rose Hill would take back the lead. That Madison Degnan for Rose Hill is pretty good.

Against Winfield, the Crusaders picked up their second straight win against the Vikes. Wellington had earlier beaten Winfield in the Viking “Early Bird” Tournament last Saturday. Tuesday was more of the same. After cruising through the first game against the Vikes, Winfield would make Wellington earn the win in game two.

The Crusaders have played an astonishing eight matches in three days. They will not see competitive action until next Tuesday when they travel to McPherson for a triangular with Mulvane.

That should be an interesting day of volleyball. Mulvane is the team that eliminated Wellington in the sub-state a year ago. McPherson, well… the Bullpups are good at everything.  Interestingly enough, they were ranked below Rose Hill in the Class 4A Div. 1 poll.

Rose Hill was ranked No. 4 and McPherson was ranked No. 6.

As Wellington proved Tuesday, though, it can play with Rose Hill. It most certainly can do the same with McPherson.

For more photos of the triangular click here.

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