.jpg)
On Tuesday night fans of the Weimar Ladycats and the Columbus Lady Cardinals packed the gym at Weimar High School to watch a Colorado County Showdown.
The Lady Cards came away with the win in three straight sets and despite the loss Ladycats head coach Amanda Machicek said these types of games on benefit her team.
“I think these games prepare you,” Machicek said. “You look at the teams around us in the area and we have a lot of talented teams int he county especially when it comes to volleyball. That’s what I told the girls in the locker room is that we could play simple and easy teams but that does not prepare you for the next level. I know Columbus is in the same boat we are in, their district is tough, their region is tough, and this is what you have to do, play teams like Columbus to get prepared for that next level.”
Iron sharpens iron as the saying goes, and in Colorado County it is no different as Lady Cards Head Coach Kayley Johns echoed Machicek statement about games between Colorado County teams.
“Playing somebody that is super close to us that we have played multiple times is very beneficial for our team because they are always competitive games,” Johns said. “Even more so when we get to play a full match as opposed to the tournament style. I feel like anytime we play Weimar it is good game; they are a very competitive team with a lot of talented athletes.”
Getting back to the game, the first set was filled with several bit time plays from both teams that got the crowd exc ited. The crowd brought the energy Tuesday night and both coaches commended their team for handling a playoff type atmosphere.
“We are very thankful for our community when they do come out. We got in trouble last week because they brought some noise makers, but that is what it is all about, getting people excited and on their feet,” Machicek said. “We have been fortunate this year to have a lot of fans int he stands, and it does help prepare us as well and it gives us motivation to play better each and every time we play.”
“I think the girls handle the loud crowds well. We always tell them to just stay focused on what’s happening on the court and try our hardest to block out whatever is in the stands,” Johns said.
She also gave the student section credit for always bringing the energy.
“Sometimes I feel like our student section is yelling when they shouldn’t be,” Johns said with a chuckle. “They do an excellent job of bringing the energy to every gym they are in.”
Columbus ended up breaking away on the scoreboard late in the set and came away with a 25--18 win in the first set.
The second set was much of the same, but this time Weimar kept things just a tad bit closer before Columbus stepped on the gas again. Columbus went on to win the second set 25-19.
Columbus’ offensive skill was on full display against Weimar and Johns gave them a ton of credit for their performance.
“We had everyone contribute in some way and our hitters did a great job finding a way to get the ball down on the floor,” Johns said. “Our setters did an excellent job getting them the ball I always want to make sure they get credit because they do a wonderful job for us.”
Now in the third set things took a nosedive for Weimar and Columbus dominated the set. It was a bit of an uncharacteristic set for the Ladycats as they ended up losing the set to the Lady Cards 25-9.
The Lady Cards are set to be back on the court on Friday, Sept. 5, when they take on Giddings in Giddings, and the Ladycats will be back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 2, when they welcome in Sacred Heart.
