MORAN — The friendly confines of Marmaton Valley High School’s gymnasium were a balm for the Wildcat volleyball team.
At least early on.
Marmaton Valley bolted out of the gates quickly in both matches Tuesday against Three Rivers League rivals Oswego and Uniontown.
But their opponents gained steam as each match proceeded.
Marmaton Valley fell in three sets both times, falling 19-25, 25-17 and 25-10 to Oswego, and 21-25, 25-6 and 25-12 to Uniontown.
Emma Michael and Sheridan Byrd each served up pivotal scoring rallies in Marmaton Valley’s opening match against Oswego. Michael had four service points and Byrd three during the run. Kylah Sanders served up two points before Taylen Blevins served the winner.
But the Indians responded with a big stretch in the second set and kept up the momentum in the third. Danica Aiello keyed the opening set win against Uniontown, serving up nine straight points in the first-set win.
But Uniontown took momentum with an early six-point run in the second set, and like Oswego, never relented.
Marmaton Valley’s junior varsity squad had its moments in both matches as well, but could not capture a set, falling 25-20 and 25-16 against Oswego and 25-23 and 25-7 against the Eagles.
