There was only an estimated forty spectators in the stands, but when the Lady Jaguars decided to change their strategy on the volleyball court those spectators sounded like the cheers of 400.
There was no mistaken with the clear message that Coach Michele Smith stressed in her time out huddle during the second match, as Central was getting beat. “Don’t get down on yourself, I believe in you and I need you to play ball now!” expressed Smith.
Her team followed her direction and did as she asked.
After losing the first two matches to Rocky Bayou Christian School, 25-9 and 24-20 Central knew that the third match was the end of their game if they suffered another match loss.
Behind the outstanding serving of Kayleigh Moore, Central went ahead 15-10 in the third match. Haley Gauthier just wouldn’t let Central die as she, as well as all the ladies hustled on every return. Central won the third match 26-24.
During the fourth and fifth match the Jaguars continued to play their game. Sarah Conley found her spike formation as well as her jump set to be more than Rocky Bayou could handle. The Jaguars defeated Rocky Bayou 25-18 and 15-12 to win the district match up.
“A team showed up the last three matches of this game against Rocky Bayou that I thought I would never see again this season,” stated Smith. Central has a season record of four wins and seven loses but as Smith commented, “I feel like we are growing again.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Central rallies for a huge win