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Minster's Jordyn Stueve (10) sets the ball to a teammate as Celina's Ella Shelby goes up to attempt the block during Monday's non-conference volleyball match at Celina Intermediate School.
CELINA - After a series of self-inflicted mistakes cost it the third set, Minster bounced back to take a 25-20, 25-18, 18-25, 25-15 win over Celina in non-conference volleyball action Monday.
"I think we've been more mentally tough. That's something we've focused on this year," Minster coach Chelsea McGhee said. "It's more than just skills, more than just athleticism. I think we needed some of that mental training."
That mental toughness was on display against Celina as the teams traded blows and rode several momentum swings throughout the four-set match.
The Wildcats found themselves in a back-and-forth battle almost immediately in the first set, trading points with Celina before a mid-set rally gave Minster a 9-5 advantage. The Wildcats eventually stretched the lead to eight, but Celina patiently chipped away and pulled within 21-20 late.
Minster held off the Bulldogs' push, closing the set on a 4-0 run capped by an ace from Bri Osterloh for a 25-20 win.
The second set followed a similar script, with neither side able to build a lead larger than two until late. Minster held a 20-18 advantage before pulling away, with Osterloh delivering a pair of aces and the final kill to close out a 25-18 victory.
Celina's Amanda Miller (19) and Lilly Shreffler (10) go up for the block on Minster's Sophia Dirksen.
Down two sets, Celina refused to go quietly.
"The wins and losses will take care of themselves," Celina coach Amy Sutter said. "Just worry about the next ball. Every time you go out there, just focus on the job at hand and the ball that's in front of you."
The Bulldogs heeded their coach's advice and came out firing in the third, quickly building a 5-1 lead behind two kills from Hailey Hinton. Minster battled to stay within striking distance, but a string of service errors kept the Wildcats from gaining momentum as Celina pulled away for a 25-18 win.
"Our serving was breaking down, and we just could not get anything going," McGhee said. "I always tell the girls it's about how you respond."
Minster responded in the fourth.
Another tight start was eventually broken open by Minster senior Ansley Wolf, whose four kills and an ace helped propel the Wildcats to a 25-15 victory and close out the match.
Minster is back in action tonight, hosting New Knoxville in Midwest Athletic Conference play, then traveling to Fort Recovery for another MAC contest on Thursday. Celina is off until Thursday when Kenton comes to the Intermediate School for a Western Buckeye League contest.
Minster's Audrey Meyer bumps the ball to a teammate against Celina.
