Lady Cardinals dominate gigantic week as season winds down
The Miller Lady Cardinals had an opportunity to pick up a couple of massive wins with matchups with New Covenant Academy—in what would likely decide the top seed in Class 2 District 10 play which starts next week—and Diamond in a game that is a must win if Miller wants to take back the SWC title.
The week started on Monday as Miller hosted New Covenant Academy with the top seed in districts on the line. The opening set was as tight as you could have possibly asked for as the game never got over a four-point advantage for either squad. Miller was able to eventually extend the lead to three late as Miller won the opening set 25-22. The second set was more in favor of the Lady Cardinals as Miller opened up a 15-8 lead. The Lady Cardinals continued to roll from there as the Lady Cardinals took the second set 25-13. NCA responded in the third set and was able to keep it close but the Lady Cardinals took the third set 25-23 to all but guarantee a district one seed.
This set up an emotional game Tuesday night. Nearly a year ago to the date, the Miller Lady Cardinals were hit with perhaps the most difficult news imaginable. Fellow teammate Mavrie Pritchett had been diagnosed with leukemia. About 348 days later, Pritchett is winning her battle and Miller hosted the Diamond Lady Wildcats in a matchup that would likely decide the SWC champion.
The Lady Cardinals continued their fantastic season as they jumped out early against another very good Diamond team. Despite not getting their best game from Rachel Nunez, Ashlynn Helton and Loghann Leivan stepped up in her place as the Lady Cardinals took the first two sets 25-19. The third set was an instant classic as the Lady Wildcats had their backs up against the wall on several occasions but a strong set from Lauren Turner gave the Wildcats the 29-27 win. Miller responded with a huge fourth set where the Lady Cardinals secured the four-set victory, 25-15, to take the match three sets to one.
The week ended with a 3-1 win over Ash Grove as they improved to 20-6-1 on the season as they start their final week of the regular season. They battled Marionville on Tuesday for the conference title before hosting Stockton, Thursday. The Lady Cardinals will conclude the regular season on Saturday in the Sparta Lady Trojan Invitational where they open pool play against Billings, Forsyth and Fordland.
The Miller Lady Cardinals did, in fact, earn the top seed in the Class 2 District 10 tournament where they will open play on Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. at home against the winner of Marionville and Sparta.
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