Plattsmouth played six volleyball matches before visiting Blair High School on Thursday night.
First-year head coach Becca Mellema and her Bears, meanwhile, were making their 2021 debut. As it turned out, they were ready.
“Amazing,” outside hitter Claire Gochanour said after BHS' 3-1 win. “It's a great start to senior year. I'm excited.”
Blair moved to 1-0 on their home floor, besting the Blue Devils 25-20, 24-26, 25-21 and 25-22. After a month of practice and just one exhibition match, the Bears put their skills on display at last.
“They were finally able to show off what they've been working on,” Mellema said.
Blair did it in front of a hearty home crowd, including an enthusiastic student section.
“That was just so special,” the 1-0 coach said. “I'm glad I got to share it with them.”
The key stretch of Thursday's victory came after the Bears fell behind 13-3 during the third set. They'd won the first efficiently, but lost a 22-19 second-set lead and were in danger of falling behind Plattsmouth 2-1.
Instead of crumbling, Blair battled back.
Reece Ewoldt won a point at the net to pull Mellema's team within 15-9 before freshman Taylor Mostek's kill from the back row cut the deficit to one, 16-15. Schuyler Roewert's block evened the score and the Bears were on their way to their own 2-1 lead.
“Momentum,” Gochanour said when asked what got her team back into the match. “We talked in the huddle, and we just built each other back up. Built the momentum back up.”
Mellema said renewed focus resulted in better execution of BHS' strategy.
“(The comeback) really just showcased all of the hard work the girls have been putting in,” she said.
Blair senior Olivia Fitchhorn recorded a key kill down the line late during the third set before Roewert's cross-court spike broke a 19-19 tie. Middle hitter Peyton Ogle's attack finally resulted in the 25-21 win.
The Bears then solidified their 1-0 record with a steady fourth set. An Ogle block, Mostek kills and a Gochanour attack pushed the home team out ahead 15-7. The balanced effort continued and Blair pulled out the 3-1 win.
“Everyone was on tonight. We were,” Gochanour said. “We all just worked together.”
Court conversations kept BHS on track.
“That's how we stay consistent,” the senior said. “We just talked the whole way through — every time we huddled.”
Defensive specialist Megan McKeon, Mostek — who impressed Mellema in her first prep match — Fitchhorn, Gochanour, Roewert and Ewoldt huddled one last time in celebration after a Plattsmouth miscue ended the match. Their work, as well as the efforts of Ellia Klanderud and Ogle, resulted in an opening night win — even if it came well after the Blue Devils' first time out.
“This ...,” Gochanour said, the smile across her face pausing her words for a half-second. “This is a good start.”
