By Chuck Reherman
Sports Editor
EDMOND – Playing a team twice in four days is a tough task, especially when it is a squad from the top 10.
And for Yukon, who lost on Friday in a tournament, nearly pulled out the win on the road Tuesday night.
The Millerettes held a 2-1 lead, but came up on the short end after losing the fifth and deciding set, 15-8 at Edmond Deer Creek.
The Millerettes, who have not beaten a Deer Creek team since starting volleyball, came as close as they could for the second straight year in taking the Lady Antlers to five sets.
The Millerettes won the first set 25-17, lost the second 25-15, but came back to win the third 25-22. Deer Creek won the fourth set 25-20, then controlled the fifth and deciding set 15-8.
“Deer Creek had a lot of unforced errors in the first set, and we took advantage of it,” Millerette head coach Rachel Allred said. “We knew they would come back stronger in the second, but we failed to keep control of the pace of the game.
“The third set was much better, and our aggressiveness and controlled hustle were back on point,” she added. “We knew we really needed that fourth set, but again got complacent and a little panicked under pressure we put on ourselves. In fifth set, we never got the momentum back and fell short.”
The Millerettes never really got going in the fifth set. Deer Creek jumped out to a five-point lead early and never let the Millerettes into the set. YHS got within four points at one time, but Deer Creek went on a 3-0 run to put the match away.
Yukon, who lost in two sets to Deer Creek in the Norman Tournament last Friday, came out strong and used Deer Creek errors to take control of the first set and the match.
Kills from Addy Wimmer, Katelyn Biswell and Kaylee Coleman gave the Millerettes a six-point lead early on in the first set. The Millerettes closed out the first set strong and posted the 25-17 set.
With the match tied at 1-1, the Millerettes bounced back and win the third again using kills from Wimmer and Biswell and blocks from Katie Clark. YHS led 23-19 late in the match and after Deer Creek made it 23-200, scored the final two points.
“Overall a good night to see more our need for consistency in aggressiveness and ability to finish strong,” Allred said. “We can’t let up or get comfortable. And we have to be okay and confident in being in control and beating good teams.
“With seven games into the season, we are loving where we are headed,” she said. “We know we’ll continue to improve and fix our weak areas. The girls are focused and can see these problem areas, and I’m confident that they are all willing to step up and work hard to adjust their mindsets to get us where we want to be.
Wimmer led the team in kills with 11 and Coleman and Biswell had six each. Wimmer also had five service ces and Kashlei Vo added three.
Clark lead the team in blocks with four, while Libbie Hughs (26) and Wimmer (11) lead in digs.
Jenna Kenley had 17 assists.
In the freshman match, the Millerettes lost 25-10, 25-20.
“We struggled in the first set with serve receive and hitting, but then fought back and played well for a much better showing in the second,” Allred said.
The JV lost in three close ones, 25-23, 20-25, 13-15
“Three hard fought sets, just struggled to stay positive and not dwell on mistakes,” Allred said.
Julia Bales, Cassidy Bass and Taya McReynolds lead the team in digs, Abi Michael had 12 assists, and McReynold lead in hitting with 12 kills.
YHS is scheduled to host Westmoore Tuesday.
