Despite taking the first set, San Marcos was unable to overcome Clemens, as the Rattlers fell to the Buffaloes 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-11).
“I thought we came out strong,” Coach Ollet said. “I think this highlighted some of the things that we mentally needed to overcome. Those are going to filter through the rest of their lives. Staying calm, not getting frustrated, doing all of those things. It’s more than just a game on some of the mental pieces we need to work on. Overall, I was impressed with some of the plays or calling stuff out and the adjustments they made quickly. It’s a step in the right direction for us.”
The first set was a fierce back and forth effort, as both teams found themselves tied at 8-8.
But the Buffaloes jumped out to a 5-1 run as Clemens held a 13-9 lead.
Despite the Rattlers cutting the lead down to 1312, Clemens responded with a 6-1 run, to go up 19-13.
San Marcos responded with a 8-2 run that tied the game up at 21-21.
Later tied at 23-23, the Rattlers closed out the game on a 2-0 run, following back to back kills from Melyania Perkins and Brinkley Reeves, to win the first set 25-23.
“It gives them hope,” Ollet said. “The first set was pretty low because we felt like we couldn’t compete with anyone. Now that we have Grace back, I feel like that gave them a boost of confidence that we can compete.”
In the second set, Clemens immediately jumped out to the lead up 9-3.
The Rattlers stormed back, going on a 8-5 run, cutting the deficit down to 14-11.
The Buffaloes answered the Rattlers by going on a 8-3 run, taking a commanding 22-14 lead.
Clemens rolled to the second set victory winning 25-17.
In the pivotal third set, San Marcos jumped out ahead, with the Rattlers taking a 12-10 lead.
The Buffaloes responded by going on a 7-0 run, as Clemens now held the advantage at 17-12.
That run was enough to put Clemens ahead and the Buffaloes won the third set, 25-17.
San Marcos once again jumped out to the lead in the fourth set, forcing a fifth set as the team led the Buffaloes at 7-5.
But Clemens again responded and soon tied the game up at 8-8.
With the game tied up at 9-9, Clemens rolled once more, going on a 15-1 run to take a commanding 2410 lead.
The Buffaloes closed out the fourth set 25-11 to take the match at 3-1.
San Marcos looks to get back into the win column as the Rattlers host Cibolo Steele.
Tip-off is Friday at 7 p.m. from the Snake Pit. [email protected] Twitter: @ColtonBMc
