If you missed it, you missed it.
It seems that very few games, in any sport, that receive a lot of publicity and build up before the game ever turn out to be half as good as advertised. But this was not the case for last night’s barn burner in Charleston. Paris, once again, showed why they are the defending state champions. Missing a key player due to injury, playing away from home in a hostile environment, and playing against a top five ranked team in class 3A, the Lady Eagles were forced to go five sets before pulling out the victory. Paris defeated the spirited Charleston Lady Tigers three sets to two. And in the end, the defending state champions found a way to win. That is what great teams do.
It was truly one of those games where you hated to see any team lose Both teams left everything on the floor. It was a showcase for high school volleyball. Both teams have a lot to be proud of, and both coaches were very emotional at the end of the game when asked about their players’ performances.
The tone for the night was established in the first set. Both teams came out swinging, and from the very start, everyone in attendance knew it was going to be a battle of two heavyweights. The teams battled back and forth like a prize fight until Charleston shocked the Lady Eagles with a 28-26 first set victory.
But like true champions, Paris came roaring back, winning both the second and third sets. It appeared that the Lady Eagles had recaptured the momentum. Perhaps the Lady Eagles had taken Charleston’s best shot and had survived, and the fourth set would be the clincher for Paris.
But showing great character, grit, and determination, Charleston battled back and shocked Paris again by winning the fourth set. As the crowd went crazy in the historic Charleston gym, many Charleston fans must have taken a moment to reminisce about the long list of barn burner basketball games that had been played in the old gym up until February of 2004 when it saw its last game. Charleston volleyball has brought new life to a proud, old facility, and this match would prove to be one for the ages.
Charleston began the fifth and deciding set on fire by going out to a quick lead. Momentum was on the Lady Tigers side. Charleston built a lead to 11-7 in a 15-point deciding set. Victory was so close for the Lady Tigers.
But at that point, Paris proved why they are state champions. The Lady Eagles took over the set, scoring the final points, and won the set 15-11.
When the game was over, both teams were completely drained. Every player on both sides had left everything on the court. A disappointed Charleston team was left to think about the ” what ifs” in a game that was full of opportunities. Paris was relieved to get out of Charleston with the win, although in some aspects, it almost felt like a loss to some of the players.
Paris coach Jordan Devine was both emotional and proud of her players’ performance, “It was awesome. Charleston played great. I’m just glad we came out with the last eight points of the game. We told them (the Paris players), Coach Fulmer actually told them in the locker room, true statement of how good you are. How you pull games out when your not your best, and they did that. I was proud of them. In the locker room, they’re like, we almost didn’t win that one, but I was proud of the way they came out and fought.”
When I asked Coach Devine about any concerns of a let down against West Fork on Thursday, she replied, “Yeah, it’s going to be tough. We’re really going to have to focus in practice tomorrow, to kind of almost put this behind us for now, and re-focus on what we have in front of us in the last few weeks of the season, and then the district tournament. If we meet them again (in the district tournament) it’s going to be this kind of atmosphere.” Coach Devine indicated that she hopes to have her team healthy and at full strength by district tournament time.
With the win, Paris now has a two game lead over Charleston in the conference race. Paris (21-1, 9-0) will return home on Thursday to play West Fork. Charleston (11-2, 7-2) will travel to Lincoln on Thursday. Both teams will be guarded from the potential emotional let down after playing such an emotional and grueling game.
Charleston coach Ryan Rachuy, although disappointed with being so close in pulling off the upset win, was beaming with pride for his players after their gutty performance. After the match, it was an emotional Charleston coached that talked to me. “When we played them at Paris, we just didn’t show up. We were not mentally prepared. That was on me, and I really worked to try to get it a lot better today. I think they (Charleston) showed the level of volleyball that they can play. Even though we lost our second outside, I am very proud of them. I can’t put into words how proud I am of those girls and of all they did. It’s pretty awesome.” In conference play, the Lady Tigers gave Paris their only set losses of the season. “Paris truly is an all-around team. They really are. They were a little short-handed tonight, and I know they had a player that was also injured and gutted it out and played, and she did a great job. But I really think our girls, they gritted their teeth and ground it out. The first set, its like, OK, what is possible? Then we lost the next two. A lot of teams, not just around our conference, but around the state, they dropped the next two and then it is done. You get your emotions down. This was the first 4 or 5 set match for my girls, too. And, I just can’t tell you how proud I am of our girls coming out in the fourth set and going back in forth. Getting to the back end of the set and saying, OK, who is going to score those two points that’s going to end up winning the set? And then, came out in the fifth set and started like a house on fire and really did seem like we tried to do too much in the end.” With tears in his eyes, it was obvious that Coach Rachuy loves his team and their effort in what was one of the best high school volleyball matches this reporter has witnessed.
Paris was clearly missing its dominant middle due to injury and it had a significant effect on the team. The Lady Eagles have good quality depth and it paid off for Paris Tuesday night. If Paris can weather the remaining conference schedule and get their key players healthy by district or state tournament time, the Lady Eagles should be in good shape for a title defense in the state tournament.
Charleston was not out for a moral victory Tuesday night, but although they did not win the game, they gained a great deal from the performance. The Lady Tigers will not play anyone in the state tournament that is any better than who they played Tuesday night. They now know they can compete with anyone. The game will go a long way to erasing the bad memories of the first match in Paris in which the Lady Tigers were swept in dominant fashion. They must find a way to put this difficult loss behind them and focus on the remaining schedule. After Tuesday’s inspired all-out effort, it would be a tragedy for this team to lose a game down the line that they should win due to not being ready to play mentally. Charleston has had great senior leadership all season, and I believe this group of seniors will keep the team focused on their opponents. The Lady Tigers proved Tuesday that they still have a lot to play for this season.
