Charleston Gelfius
HOPE — Hauser was hoping third time would be the charm against Jac-Cen-Del Tuesday night.
The Jets weren’t so lucky.
After falling twice to the Eagles in the regular season, the result was the same Hauser ended its season with a 25-18, 25-10, 25-22 volleyball loss in the opening round of the Class A Hauser Sectional.
Regardless of the result, it was an improvement for the Jets in the win column, doubling their win total from last season.
“We grew every time we touched the ball,” Hauser coach Erica Raisor said. “We’re getting better. It’s a learning process. Volleyball is a game of mistakes, and it is all about how you bounce back. This is another learning experience for them to grow into next season. We’re always talking about growth and pushing ourselves to be better athletes and people in general.”
The Jets (9-23) kept it competitive in the first set and faced only a 13-10 deficit until Jac-Cen-Del (14-11) picked up eight of the next nine points to build a 21-11 lead and eventually closed the set.
Hauser couldn’t get any momentum going in the second set. The Eagles continued where they left off and jumped out to a quick 13-5 lead. Hauser tried to get back in it trailing 17-10, but Jac-Cen-Del slammed the door by scoring eight straight points to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Jets were much more competitive in the third set. Hauser looked like it had the set, leading 21-20, but Jac-Cen-Del made a rally to score five of the next six points to take the match.
Charleston Gelfius led the Jets with seven kills, one block and four aces. Leah Manley recorded 27 assist and eight digs.
Regan Mack finished with nine kills and one block, and Hayden Dickey had two kills, two assists and one ace. Kesie Shoaf contributed one assist, Kaidenze Shoaf notched six digs, Ruby McKinney added five digs and Manley served three aces.
The Jets lose seniors Gelfius, Mack and Kaysie Kistler.
“My seniors have helped create a very strong culture,” Raisor said. “They are here as early as some of the coaches are to make we’re ready and everybody is focused when it’s practice time. I couldn’t have asked for a better senior class.”
