Eagles can't sustain success against Rox

South Putnam senior Carey Tanner (7) goes up for an attack against Rockville on Monday (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

The South Putnam volleyball team--again--got off to a slow start on Monday. The Eagles played an impressive second set to rebound, but they lost the next two to lose to visiting Rockville on Monday 25-14, 17-25, 25-23, 25-11.

South Putnam senior Kelly Hayden makes a diving attempt to dig the ball against Rockville on Monday (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

SPHS coach Deanna Long said the team has gotten in a habit of starting slow, but the Eagles came out of the hole nicely on Monday.

Seniors Emily Clark and Carey Tanner gave the Eagles an early 6-1 lead with a pair of service points each and the offense took off with senior Aubrey Nichols at the line.

Nichols ran off five straight points midway through the set, including a pair of aces, to put South Putnam up by an insurmountable 15-6 margin.

Clark had four kills in the game and a team-high seven in the match. Nichols and senior Katie McHugh both had six. Nichols also led the team with eight points.

Aside from the dominant serving, the Eagles also communicated better in the second set than they had all season. McHugh had six assists, calling for passes and taking charge vocally.

The chatter begat success, which begat more communication, and that theme that continued into the latter sets.

SPHS lost a bit of momentum to start the third set, but came back to take a 20-19 lead when senior Kenzie Trisler scored five straight points for the Eagles. Trisler finished with seven points and 10 digs in the match.

Kenzie Trisler

The final set was less competitive than the first few, but the Eagles stayed positive and fought to the end.

Senior Kelly Hayden led SPHS with 14 digs and junior Emily Dobson had three blocks.

South Putnam's next match is Thursday at Greencastle at 7 p.m.

At South Putnam
Rockville...............25 17 25 25
South Putnam.......14 25 21 11