Winning and Having Enjoyable: Mustangs Roll Previous Rebels, Jenkins

GUYTON, Ga. – South Effingham volleyball coach Haywood Ellison says he doesn’t wish to lose one other match. An 11-game successful streak suggests his Mustangs have an identical agenda.

SEHS continued its sturdy play Tuesday night time by defeating Effingham County 2-0 (25-18, 25-17) and Jenkins 2-0 (25-9, 25-15) in a tri-match on the Mustangs’ gymnasium. Effingham County (7-9) topped Jenkins 2-0 (25-11, 25-14).

“We’re playing well and that’s what I expected,” Ellison stated. “We have a good group of seniors, and they’re having fun with each other. That’s the biggest thing.”

Winning has been gratifying for South, which hasn’t skilled a loss since Aug. 23 in a aggressive weekend match at North Forsyth High School. During that match, the Mustangs pulled off a signature victory over eight-time champion Westminster. Last week, they claimed the higher hand in subregion standings with a key 2-1 win over Glynn Academy.

Mustangs’ Strong Start

South jumped out to a 7-1 lead within the first set towards Effingham County and briefly trailed 4-3 within the second set earlier than working off a 6-1 spurt to tug away.

Senior center blocker Clara Vorel, dedicated to Towson, dominated the motion with 10 kills – seven within the first set – whereas teammate Morgan Stringer ended each units with emphatic kills.

“We changed our rotation a little so we always have either Stringer or Vorel on the court at all times,” Ellison stated. “The defense has gotten better, and when we’ve had opportunities to attack, we’re attacking.”

Revenge Against the Rebels

Getting previous Effingham County has been a part of SEHS’ development. The Rebels received all three matches towards the Mustangs final season, together with a area match win that eradicated South from a state playoff spot. So far this season, the Mustangs have crushed the Rebels twice, together with a 2-0 victory on Aug. 21.

“Any time you play your rival, you want to win those games,” Ellison stated.

Rebels Rebuilding

Effingham County is rebuilding after dropping 9 seniors from a school-record 30-win crew final season. The Rebels, who’ve six sophomores on their 13-girl roster, confirmed flashes of promise Tuesday. They fought again from an early deficit within the first set to get inside three at 16-13 after a kill by sophomore Ka’Meil Bates. A Bates kill and Bella Giaquinto service ace sparked an early three-point run that gave ECHS a lead within the second set.

“We’re either offensively on or defensively on, and it seems like we can’t be on at the same time,” Rebels coach Brittany Lein stated. “You have to do both in a game to win it.”