The Houston High School volleyball team started strong before fading fast in its home opener.
After cruising in the opening set, the Lady Tigers dropped a close second set and never recovered in the third. The result was an 18-25, 25-21, 25-17 loss Tuesday night inside humid Hiett Gymnasium.
All three of Houston’s matches this season have gone three sets. The Lady Tigers’ lone victory was last Thursday at Cuba.
HHS coach Skye Carrasquillo said she will know more about her team following Saturday’s Branson Tournament.
“They will see good competition and hopefully take the challenge of having to fight for every point,” she said. “We always learn a lot about our team after this tournament. I’m looking forward to seeing how we play.”
Alexa Ichord and Kylee Elmore led HHS with five kills apiece against Summersville. Sydney Cremer added four.
Desiree Venable’s jump serve gave Houston (1-2) an early advantage. She had three aces during an 8-0 run that put the Lady Tigers ahead 12-4. The lead was 10 points when sophomore Kylee Elmore tipped the ball over the net and between four Summersville players.
Summersville closed the gap to 24-18 before Ichord’s kill sealed the opening set.
Houston fell behind 13-8 in the second set before pulling even with a 6-1 run. Cremer had an ace during the rally. HHS again fell behind –– this time 20-17 –– and again tied it on Venable’s fourth ace of the match. But Summersville scored five of the last six points to force a decisive third set.
“We got a little tight at the end, which led to silly mistakes,” Carrasquillo said.
The final set wasn’t close. Summersville raced ahead 13-6 and quickly increased the advantage to double digits.