Wren Middle School volleyball coach George Tambini and Powdersville Middle School’s volleyball coach Stephanie Lynn have a couple of things in common. 

First, this is the first year as a head coach for a middle school volleyball team for both of them.

Secondly, each school’s record going into Monday’s game was 4-5. In the end, it took Wren five sets to win the game.

Wren served first, and they seemed to dominate the first game.  Serves were going over the net, the Lady Canes were digging at the net, there were very few dead balls, and only five balls went out of bounds for Wren. 

Returning eighth grader Andie Stegall served up eight points in a row to finish out the first set for Wren, earning the win in the first set, 25-16. 

Powdersville’s Morgan Matter scored five unanswered points in the second set during her first serve, and four during her second serving rotation. The Patriots also had Emily Klocko’s powerful serve earning four points to give the second set to Powdersville, 25-14.

The third set belonged to Powdersville’s Morgan Matter, who earned 15 of the team’s 25 points. Despite her effort, Wren battled back with eighth grader Mariah Rastelli serving up seven points to bring Wren ahead by one at 21-20. However, Powdersville won set three, 25-21.

Both teams were evenly matched throughout the entire fourth set, but Wren came out strong with eighth grader Megan Barker earning five points. Returning eighth grader Cristina Colombo posted six points and seventh grader Emily Dorn finished off the game with eight unanswered serves to force a fifth and final game. 

Wren was able to hold Patriot player Morgan Matter to only four points during the fourth set, and Wren won the set 25-20.

Powdersville won the toss for the fifth game, and the Patriots served up two points before the Lady Canes were able to break the serve.  Returning eighth grader Emiley Riggins served five powerful serves in a row, with three of them being Aces to give Wren a 5-2 lead.  Powdersville served once, Wren served twice, and the ball was back to the Patriots. 

One serve was all Morgan Matter was able to shoot over to the Lady Canes, and then Cristina Colombo was up for Wren. Colombo served points nine through 15 finishing out the game for Wren, and giving the Lady Canes the final win for the night, 15-4.

“Both teams of young ladies played very good volleyball tonight,” Tambini said.  “I look forward to seeing many of these eighth graders from both schools playing for the JV volleyball team at Wren next season.”