Kenny Hernandez

LIBERAL, Kan. – Seward County Community College hosted Otero college for a non-conference match, and the Lady Saints prevailed 3-1 over the Rattlers. With the win, the Lady Saints improve to 14-4 on the season and will return to conference play on Saturday at 4:30 PM CT against Cloud County Community College. Seward county extends its winning streak to three in a row and will look to add to its momentum on Saturday.

In this four-set match, Seward county won the first set 25-18, lost the second set 26-24, and won the next two sets 25-14, 25-23.

To start the match, Seward County jumped out to an early 14-9 lead and looked to continue their strong offensive power. The Rattlers exchanged points as the Lady Saints continued their lead at 20-15. Ana Cambraia won the set off of a kill from the right side as Seward county won 25-18.

The second set started with both teams exchanging side outs as the Rattlers led early 6-5. Seward County continued to battle in the set, but Otero led late in the 19-16, and the Rattlers took the second set 26-24. The match was tied at one set a piece in the Greenhouse, with both teams getting comfortable in the Liberal environment.

Seward County came out strong and led Otero 13-9 in the third set as the No. 12 team looked to regain the match lead. The Lady Saints went on a 7-4 run to take a 20-13 advantage over the Rattlers. After a 5-1 run, Seward County won the second set and led 2-1 over Otero.

In the fourth set, Otero jumped out to a 7-5 lead over the Lady Saints as the Rattlers looked to force a fifth set. Seward County battled back to take the lead 12-11 over Otero and had the momentum back on their side. It came down to the wire late in the fourth set with Seward County in front 20-19, and the Lady Saints went on a 3-0 run to take a 23-19 advantage that forced the Rattlers to use a timeout. Otero responded with a 4-1 run to cut the lead down to 24-23, but Aubrey Haxton got the final kill of the night to give the Lady Saints a 25-23 fourth-set victory and win the match 3-1.

Seward County will return to KJCCC action on Saturday as they host Cloud County at 4:30 PM CT.