The Celts traveled to Fort Worth on Thursday in preparation of Friday's 12PM match. The Celts, eager to kick off 2018 added Fridays contest against the Rams who finished last season 27-7, 2nd in the Sooner Athletic Conference, and boasted an NAIA Tournament appearance.
RECAP
Starting the match the Rams took an early lead, but the Celts stayed close behind matching point for point in several extended rallies finally catching the Rams at 17-17. However, three unforced Celt errors in a row gave the rams the 20-17 advantage. The Celts were able to regroup after a timeout to pull back within 2 at 19-21. Plagued by a string of errors, the Celts put the Rams at game point (24-21). A Kill from Kayden Thomas, put Brooke Garcia back on the service line at 22-24 for the Celts. The Celts went on a 5 point run to take the match 26-24. With 18 kills and 7 errors the Celts hit a .239 in the 1st set.
In the 2nd the Celts jumped out to a 4-1 lead on the Rams. Strong defense at the net and in the back court kept the Celts in the first set and it's what helped them take the early jump in the 2nd extending the lead to 9-4. The Rams quickly got their feet under them and chased the score tying it back at 13-13. The Celts spent the match trading shots with the Rams until closing the set out at 25-22. With 11 kills and 8 hitting errors the Celts matched the Rams in hitting efficiency at .067.
In the 3rd the Celts again take the jump on the Rams at 10-5. A strong presents from the Celts Middles Sophie Rigaut and Emily Jaroszewski each posting 4 kills in the set, proved trouble for the Rams. But after a timeout the Rams started to chip away at the Celt lead tying at 21-21. A critical unforced error put the Rams at set point and a Celt hitting error finished the set out with the Celts hitting an unimpressive .043 with 12 hitting errors and 2 serving errors.
In the 4th the Celts came out swinging once again jumping to a 10-5 lead forcing a Ram timeout. The Rams trailed the Celts for the entire set up until the 17-17 mark. Looking to be in some trouble the Celts gave up the lead for the first time in the set at 17-18. The Celts quickly regrouped, regained the lead and finished the final set to take the match 25-20. Recovering their hitting efficiency with a .212 for the set.
CELT STANDOUTS
The Celts offense was led by setters Hannah Westerlage with 22 and Kelsie Walker with 20. Key hitters in the match were Breaha Orange with 11 Kills, Sophie Rigaut with 9 Kills; Kayden Thomas, Brooke Garcia and Emily Jaroszewski all added in 8 apiece.
The Front line of the defense was led by Sophie Rigaut with 5 Total Blocks averaging 1.25 Blocks per Set putting her number 4 in the NAIA. Libero Lauren Fernandez-Miller posted a personal record of 32 total digs putting her at 8 digs per set sitting number 1 in the NAIA.
UP NEXT
The Celts travel to Oklahoma for the Aggie Challenge hosted by Oklahoma Panhandle State University Tournament Aug. 24th and 25th.
The Celts will open the tournament with a 9AM match vs University of Science and Arts Oklahoma followed by a 5PM match vs Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Saturday the Celts play early again with a 9AM match vs Fort Hays State University and close the tournament with a 1PM match against tournament host Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
