March 18, 2024

Raiders go 3-2 at Madrid tournament

MADRID — Collins-Maxwell/Baxter’s red-hot volleyball team traveled to compete in Madrid’s tournament Saturday. The Raider girls went 3-2 on the day, beating Colo-Nesco, Madrid and Colfax-Mingo and losing both of their matches to West Marshall.

CMB’s first matchup did not go well against West Marshall. According to coach Scott Ranck, the girls were not moving their feet well, and W-M took advantage with a straight-set win, 21-13 and 21-17.

CMB would bounce back from there, however. The team had some time to sit and gather itself before its next match, a luxury Ranck appreciated.

“The rest of the day, up until the last game of the championship game — against West Marshall — we really played pretty well.  After the first match, we had to sit around a couple of matches before we played again.  I think we finally woke up and refocused,” he said.

CMB took down the Tigerhawks 21-17 and 21-19, holding off late rallies in both sets. In the team’s third match, it had its best plays of the day, according to Ranck.

CMB dominated the match from beginning to end, beating Colo-Nesco by straight-set scores of 21-12 and 21-14, setting up a semi-final matchup against host-Madrid.

Down 24-22 to Madrid in the first set, Katie Ziesman ripped two aces to pull even, and the Raiders won 26-24. CMB dropped the second set 25-15, but the Raiders claimed the deciding set 15-8, sending them to the title game.

West Marshall took down CMB for the second time on the day in straight sets, winning 25-18 and 25-10.

“After the championship match, I know some of the girls were a little down for not winning the tournament,” Ranck said. “I told them while it may not be the outcome we ultimately wanted, they have to look at the big picture and see what they accomplished not only today, but up to this point in the season.”

“They played well most of the day, have been one of the top two teams at both tournaments we have been in, reached the 10-win mark (surpassing last year’s win mark by two already), have over a .500 record and have just steadily been improving,” Ranck added. “We just have to clean up a few things, work to become more consistent, and continue progressing so we can make a run in the tournament.”