Vicksburg and Warren Central played a rematch Thursday with similar results as the first match. The Lady Vikes swept the Missy Gators in three straight games, but while the final score was the same, the play on the court was vastly different. Both teams looked markedly improved from their opening day face-off to start the year a month ago and it showed in their performance. 

Warren Central jumped out to a 25-18 lead in the first game behind solid net play and a virtually error-free contest. The win set the tone for the night but also set up an exciting second game that came down to the wire.

“The first game we played a lot cleaner. We played some smart ball in the clutch,” Warren Central coach Matt Gullett said. “The first game we had a good little lead and they rolled off about six. You could see (Vicksburg’s) confidence start to build.”

That confidence peaked in the second game to give the electrified crowd in Vicksburg’s gym a dramatic finish that showcased just how far these two teams have come since first taking the court Aug. 14.

The Missy Gators built a 4-0 lead before allowing Warren Central back in the game with three consecutive points. Two aces by Elisha Howard strengthened Vicksburg’s lead until the Lady Vikes tied the game with the two teams trading points until the waning moments. Holding onto a slim 24-23 lead, Vicksburg needed just one point to seal the deal and secure a win in the second game. WC fought back to tie the game, however, eventually winning 27-25.

“I could tell that (Vicksburg) had built momentum. Their confidence had built. That game really, what turned it for us was a few smart plays by Liz Boyd,” Gullett said. “Just good heads up smart volleyball at the net.”

The third game would not provide the same theatre. Warren Central combined back-to-back kills by Carley Pitzer and a 7-0 run to bury Vicksburg 25-18. It was a tough home loss for a team that has yet to win a match this season, but the Missy Gators’ coaching staff knows their players will continue to fight when they travel to play Callaway Tuesday night.

“They just have improved overall from the beginning of the year,” Vicksburg assistant coach Aimee Scribner said. “Just fundamentally they are so much better. They’re starting to learn the game.”

Warren Central will host Madison Central Tuesday in match one of a two-match series with a little extra on the line other than a region win.

“Madison Central has sort of challenged us to an attendance contest between our home game and their home game,” Gullett said. “We’re trying to pack the gym out for next Tuesday and try to get us another win.”