C.R. Xavier volleyball survives up and down, 5-set thriller

CEDAR RAPIDS – Just call them Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hydes. The Cedar Rapids Xavier volleyball team was as up and down as it gets last night, surviving a five-set thriller at home against Cedar Rapids Washington, 16-25, 25-12, 23-25, 25-10, 15-13.

The Class 4A No. 7 Saints (19-7, 3-0 MVC Valley) struggled to consistently start sets effectively, and overcame some self-inflicted wounds against the Warriors (9-10, 3-1 MVC Valley).

'We've had some issues keeping our intensity high for an entire (match), especially (when we) lose and get kind of deflated, then come back and win big, and then you're on these highs and lows,' said Xavier Coach Krista Johnson. 'I thought in the fifth game we did a great job keeping our composure. They knew what they needed to do to win, and that's bring their intensity up.'

And what a fifth set it was.

After forcing the decisive set with a dominant 25-10 fourth set, the Saints came out behind the eight-ball in the fifth. Washington raced out to a 3-0 lead, but Xavier rallied, eventually pulling out to an 11-7 lead themselves.

Then, after a Warriors timeout, the Saints surrendered six straight points and came too close for comfort to an upset loss. But Xavier kept its composure, rallying for four straight of its own, ending the match on an emphatic kill from junior Madsy Richards.

'I never really can breathe until the game is over,' Johnson said. 'I was shaking a little, but they remained calm on the court. I have confidence in them that they can remain composed. You never know. These little plays, a ball rolling over the net can hurt you. I was kind of nervous, but I had confidence in them.'

The game-winning kill from Richards was one of 18 in the match, which led the Saints. The junior also registered three total blocks – two solo – while doing her best to keep confidence up in every between-points huddle.

'We just stayed consistent and didn't let their runs stop us,' Richards said. 'We knew we had to come out stronger. We had high energy (in the fifth set). We really brought each other up (in the huddles) and told each other to rub it off (after a bad play). We all kind of put in a word and get each other going.'

Relying on a player to consistently come through - especially at a position as important as outside hitter – can make life much easier for a coach.

And luckily for Johnson, she had such a player in Richards.

'I think it takes a lot to be an outside hitter, and I think she always stays composed and she always tries to get better,' Johnson said. 'She's so coachable. She stayed level-headed and kept working.'

Next up for Xavier is a road matchup with Waterloo West on Oct. 8.