Wildcats

The Jaguars try to regroup after losing a late lead in game one in a 25-23 loss to the Wildcats.

Sometimes you just get beat.

While mistakes were a large part of what happened tonight, a robust hitting attack by New London-Spicer also contributed to a tough 3-0 loss for our Jaguars volleyball team.

The Jaguars had nice leads of 16-11 and 21-16 in their hands before the Wildcats went on a run to tie it at 21-21 and ultimately win by a score of 25-23. Both teams traded slim leads in game two, with NL-S ahead 18-16 and 21-19 before they surged with four straight kills to win 25-19. The Jaguars led 6-3 and 9-6 in game three but fell behind 10-9. Leads of 17-14 and 19-16 couldn't hold up down the stretch, with NL-S forcing a sweep with a 26-24 win.

New London-Spicer, ranked 13th in the latest Class 2A poll, improves to 7-1 with the win. They were coming off of a five-game barn burner in which they defeated state-ranked (No. 12, Class 1A) Central Minnesota Christian-Prinsburg in New London last night. Game scores there were 25-19, 21-25, 25-27, 25-23, 15-12.

Tonight's loss was difficult to swallow for a number of reasons. First, it was NL-S getting the win. Second, the Jaguars certainly showed they were up to the task of beating the Wildcats but couldn't put together enough sustained rallies to counter the opponents. And finally, it marked the first time a volleyball team has lost at the elementary court since Sept. 28, 2006 when Eden Valley-Watkins earned an upset 3-2 win during Homecoming week.

Technically, it was the first home loss since the 2012 season. That year, with all home games at the high school, Sauk Centre won 3-2 on October 3. MACCRAY also beat the Jaguars at home that year by a 3-1 margin on Sept. 26. If you take away those two losses, the Jaguars won every home match from October of 2006 through tonight...a span of almost eight years. Holy moly!!!!!!!!

Here's a short video clip from tonight's match:

The Jaguars take a 5-4 record into a conference match at Kimball on Thursday night. The Cubs are 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the Central Minnesota Conference. Photos from tonight will be posted later.

Also, I have to give a huge shout out to the Jaguars girls' tennis team as they gear up for a Prairie Conference match on the home courts with Parkers Prairie on Thursday. The action starts at 4:30 p.m. Be sure to come out and take in the match if you're able to and cheer on our Jaguars.

Area volleyball scores on September 9:
Melrose Area 3, A-C-GC 0
Swanville 3, Browerville 2 (a big upset in the Prairie Conference!)
Montevideo 3, Minnewaska Area 2
Rocori 3, Alexandria 1
Willmar 3, Brainerd 1
Eden Valley-Watkins 3, St. Cloud Christian 0
Providence Academy 3, Rockford Area 2
Paynesville Area 3, BOLD 2 (a signature win for the resurgent Bulldogs)
Yellow Medicine East 3, Benson 1
Maple Lake 3, Dassel-Cokato 1
Pequot Lakes 3, Pierz 1
CMCS 3, K-M-S 1
Upsala 3, Eagle Valley 0
Osakis 3, West Central Area 1
Royalton 3, LP-GE 1